A Rare Shepherd

Philippians 2:19-24

Two Brothers in eastern Colorado each had cattle ranches. One was focused on making money from his ranching, hiring cowboys as needed to help work his cattle, and doing things the traditional way. He had a larger herd, and a larger ranch.

His brother was more focused on the cattle themselves. He fed grain and cake from the back of his pickup on a regular basis. Rather than hiring cowboys to drive his cattle to new pasture, he would drive out in the pasture wit some feed in the back of the pickup, then drive slowly to where he wanted the cattle to go. If the distance was great, he’d have his wife drive the truck, and he’d use a horse to keep the calves following the cows. It was a very laid back operation as compared to his brother’s.

Over a period of years, we were interested to learn that the second brother’s cows always outweighed the first brother’s. By keeping less cows on his land, and by feeding them regularly, they actually gained more weight, so that by the end of the year, he usually had more beef to sell. In addition, his approach eliminated any need for hired help, reducing his expenses. Though he had the smaller ranch, and herd, year after year, he made more money by focusing on what was best for the cows.

Timothy was more like the second brother, more concerned with what was best for the people in the long run, rather than immediate results. Paul had other obligations and couldn’t deal with their needs at the time. While he could send Epaphroditus for the immediate need, Timothy would be sent to provide a long term solution.

“But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.” (Philippians 2:19-24)

Timothy’s focus would be on what was best for the people. The others would be focused on accomplishing what they wanted. Christ’s concern is not with the leadership’s goals and desires, but with edifying or building up the people. While we hear a lot about a servants heart by different men, man seem to have forgotten what a servant is.

A servant could be either a slave, or a hired employee. His job is to do what his superiors want or need. He does not direct those he serves, although he may advise them. He is not the boss. Paul had no one else who understood this. It is a rare person who is willing to put the welfare of his flock above his own convenience and desires, but the results are fabulous.

Ezekiel 34 warns of Gods judgment on the shepherds who are more concerned with their own way and benefit than that of their people. Interestingly, the word Pastor is the Greek word for shepherd. It is a powerful warning to pastors of their responsibilities. Notice his description of their efforts in the first few verses.

"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.” (Ezekiel 34:2-6)

While they had the job as shepherds, they were not shepherding the sheep, pastoring the people. As a result, the weak and sick were not cared for and many were lost in the world, or destroyed by predators. Notice the warning in Ezekiel 34:10.

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.”

He is going to demand repayment for those they have lost by not doing their job. James 3:1 warns of this very thing. “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” The pastor has a much broader level of responsibility.