THE SHEPHERD’S STANDARD: The Oversight of Sheep

“A bishop then must be…temperate…” (1 Timothy 3:2 NKJV)

                                                                                           

The first time I read this verse was in the King James Version.  It translates this trait as “vigilant.”  An overseer must oversee!  The shepherd must watch out for the sheep.  He must take the duty seriously and carry it out responsibly.  Souls are at stake.  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8).   It is interesting that these verses follow on the heels of Peter’s admonitions to those who shepherd the flock of God.  Every believer needs to be watchful, but sheep, being what they are, need a shepherd’s oversight.

One of the ways a ferocious beast assails his prey is with fear.  The lion’s roar is meant to strike fear into the sheep and drive them into the jaws of other lions waiting quietly in the bushes.   The shepherd must calm the flock, when panic sets in during a crisis.  Thus, the Bible Knowledge Commentary renders this, “well-balanced.”  The pastor keeps his head in a crisis.  Not lukewarm or apathetic but steady.  If a man is rash and impulsive, it will only be exacerbated in a crisis, and the entire flock is imperiled.

Changing the metaphor, when a storm comes to the ship of Zion, a steady hand must be at the helm.  In our own strength, we would fail, but an unseen, almighty hand rests atop ours if we will—the Captain of our Salvation!

To change the metaphor again, while retaining the same meaning, this spiritual quality in a pastor means he is not only a shepherd watching over the flock, but he is a sentry posted on the wall.  The book of Ezekiel pictures spiritual leaders that way in chapters 3 and 33.  The pastor must ever be on the lookout for breaches in the spiritual defenses of the church.  The enemy will exploit the tiniest opening.  He is not only a shepherd watching over the flock, the pastor is a sentry at his post on the wall.  The book of Ezekiel pictures spiritual leaders that way in chapters 3 and 33.

The good pastor keeps his head when the enemy attacks, or the rout is on.  The army will flee, be hunted down and destroyed piece-meal.  The stable leader rallies the troops to stand their ground.

A PRAYER

Great Shepherd,

You have been vigilant over me all my days—from the womb to the tomb, Your eye is upon Your sheep.  If you watch over the sparrows, then I know you watch over me.  Still, in Your sovereign purpose, You appoint human shepherds to the oversight of Your flock!  May we embrace our responsibility continually.  Help us keep our eyes open—never letting our guard down.  These little lambs are Yours.  You bought them at such a great price.  We dare not be asleep when the lion charges.  Oh God, watch over Your shepherds that we not fail to watch over Your sheep!

In the name of our Good Shepherd, Jesus,

Amen.