The Encourager
“The Charge to the Flock by David Lanphear”
Poor Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Hosea. How often do we read their urgent pleas to God’s people, and think to ourselves, “It sure was good of those folks to make the prophets’ lives so weary and difficult …” Why does such a thought never cross our minds? We quickly recognize that the prophets’ weary groaning and continual pleading for God’s people to return to the Lord demonstrated how disobedient they had become. They were in spiritual peril. So why is that important to me now? I’ve always been struck by the Hebrew writer’s footnote of encouragement to Christians in 13:17, to obey and follow their leaders. “Obey them,” he writes, “so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” In other words, the writer tells Christians that submission and obedience to those who lead is not only good for the leaders, but it’s also good for the followers. It indicates that they are, in fact, doing what good followers do, not just for their shepherds, but also for the Chief Shepherd. Think of it another way. How was it good for the Pharisees to be the continuous object of Jesus’ corrective teaching? What did it say for their spiritual lives? The disobedience and disposition of the Jews of the first century did not bring Jesus joy. Instead, it burdened His heart deeply (Matthew 23:37–38). Who of us would like our name to be inserted in one of His, “Woe to you, ___________,” warnings? Who in their right mind would read a stinging rebuke from Jesus and say, “I sure wish I’d lived like that so He would talk that way about me!” How would I benefit if my conduct caused my Shepherd to reprove me so? For the same reasons, the Hebrew writer instructs Christians to obey their leaders in the local church. “Obey your leaders,” he says, “and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.” Christians aren’t left to guess about their role and relationship with elders in the local church. The sheep are charged to follow their shepherds, and according to the Hebrew writer, it is for their own good. My Specific Responsibility In addition to the straightforward words in Hebrews 13, Paul instructs the church in Thessalonica about the very same thing (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13): “Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.” Taken together, these two passages offer five verbs (or verb phrases) to define how Christians must respond to their elders: Obey. Submit. Respect. Esteem. Live peacefully. Here are practical ways I can do all of those things. Obey The same Greek word used here is also used in James 3:3, when James explains that we put bits into horses’ mouths to make them “obey” us. Consequently, my obligation to my shepherds is to do as they instruct in the Lord: Stop when they say stop; turn when they say turn; go when they say go. I should trust that they want what is best for my spiritual health. When they teach, correct or train me in righteousness, I should heed their counsel. When they rebuke me for conduct that threatens my soul, I should repent. When they want to talk to me, I should make myself available, and when they try to contact me, I should return their calls. I ignore those charged with guarding my soul to my own peril. Submit In matters of doctrine, I submit to Christ. In matters of judgment, I submit to the elders in the local church. Submission to elders does not mean that I yield so long as I agree, at which point we part company. That’s not submission, that’s agreement followed by rebellion. Instead, submission means I surrender my will to that of my shepherds, and yield to them. Unfortunately, some Christians don’t want to submit. They question the motives of leadership, and are suspicious and critical. They should take warning (1 Timothy 5:19). Others simply refuse to let go of their opinion. In both cases, such Christians plant seeds of discord by their words and conduct, and endanger their own souls. Submission means I accept scriptural decisions of judgment (meeting times, order of worship, Bible class materials, who’s the preacher, discipline issues, etc., ad infinitum) without grumbling and complaining (Philippians 2:4). It is one thing to lend a word of advice to the elders; it is quite another to criticize them to everyone else. Respect This word (1 Thessalonians 5:12) is variously translated “respect” (NIV, ESV), “know” (KJV, ASV), “recognize” (NKJV) and “appreciate” (NASB). The idea is that I become familiar with my elders, observe their way of life, get to know them and understand their needs. At the same time, they will learn to know me and be better able to help me spiritually. As we draw closer together, I can be encouraged by their example and learn to imitate their faith (Hebrews 13:7). Such spiritual intimacy creates an environment where I will not hesitate to seek their help, whether I am struggling physically or spiritually (James 5:14–16). It requires me to spend time and share, but the rewarding benefits can be eternal. Esteem In 1 Thessalonians 5:12, Paul says the brethren should esteem their leaders “very highly in love” for their work’s sake.” I can do that by ensuring that the elders’ needs are met (1 Timothy 5:17), by regularly lifting them up in prayer and telling them how grateful I am for their labor. I can give them a word of encouragement, send them a note of support and periodically remind them how I appreciate their work for my spiritual wellbeing. In our congregation, the parents of our elementary-age children held a banquet at a local community center for the elders, their wives, and the widows. The children dressed up and served the guests their meals, and not only learned a wonderful lesson about service, but thrilled the guests of honor. It was a powerfully sweet and loving gesture. Thoughtfulness can energize a weary shepherd. Live Peacefully It is my responsibility as a Christian to live in peace and unity with everyone (Hebrews 12:14), including my brethren, and I owe that obligation to my elders, as well as to God (1 Thessalonians 5:12; 2 Corinthians 13:11). That means I must submit to others out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21) and strive for unity in the church (4:3). I should not be the one to create discord, but must exert every possible effort to keep the peace (Romans 12:18). Consequently, I must avoid backbiting and disputes, learn to thicken my skin and have a forgiving spirit. Tranquility among brethren allows the gospel to thrive and makes the shepherds’ jobs easier. As sheep, we must obey our leaders, submit to their authority, respect, appreciate and imitate their faith, honor them and esteem them for their work in the Lord, and live in peace with one another. Those are the hallmarks the Lord has prescribed for the sheep to make their shepherds’ work a joy instead of a grinding burden. May we strive to lift our shepherds and glorify our God.
