Pastors shepherd Christ's church with the message of hope in Christ.

Think about what would happen if your church didn't have a pastor. Who would preach the sermon or lead worship? Who would baptize or distribute the Lord's Supper? Who would visit the sick or counsel the hurting? Who would teach Bible classes and confirmation classes? Maybe you'd have 50 people eager to do some of this work. But would they have the skills, knowledge, and time to do so? Or maybe no one would step forward. Then what would happen? Either way, the church would run the risk of being "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36).

So the Lord of the church provides pastors for his church. Peter addresses the spiritual leaders of the church and gives them words of encouragement and guidance. "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away" (1 Peter 5:2-4).

"Be shepherds." That's what the word pastor means. What do shepherds do for their sheep? The shepherd has to lead the sheep to pasture and water. He cares for them when they are injured or sick. He guards the sheep from wild animals and guides them out of danger.

What do spiritual shepherds do? They feed God's sheep with God's Word. They lead the sheep to the life-giving message of hope in Christ. They bind up the wounds of God's people with the forgiveness of sins purchased by the blood of the Good Shepherd. They guide the sheep through the treacherous paths of life in this sinful world. They guard the flock from deadly false teachings.

Pastors are not to be pastors because they're forced to but because the Holy Spirit has given them a willingness to carry out this calling. They aren't in the "pastor" work for the money. Rather, they are servants—servants of the Lord, of his Word, and of the flock they are called to serve. They are not tyrants who rule the flock with an iron fist. Instead, they are to be gentle shepherds, leading, guiding, and serving by the example of their Christian lives and their devotion to God's Word.

Give thanks that God has provided a pastor to shepherd your church with the Word and sacraments. Support your pastor with your encouraging words and your attention to the Word. Pray that the Chief Shepherd continues to provide such under-shepherds for his flock until he returns.

Exploring the Word

1. Why is a shepherd an appropriate picture to describe the work of a pastor?