BY JACK WARD, PASTOR
TOMAHAWK MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
Once there was an ecumenical crusade that was being held in a large city. Every imaginable denomination was in attendance for this unprecedented event. One afternoon the gathering was in session when all of a sudden, a secretary rushed in shouting, “The building’s on fire! The building’s on fire!”
Confusion reigned as each church group came together and did what came natural: The Methodists gathered in the corner to pray. The Baptists cried, “Where’s the water?” The Quakers quietly praised God for the blessings that fire brings. The Lutherans posted a notice on the door declaring that the fire was evil. The Roman Catholics passed a plate to cover the damages. The Unitarians reasoned that the fire would burn itself out if just given a chance. The Congregationalists shouted, “Every man for himself.” The Fundamentalists proclaimed, “It’s the vengeance of God.” The Episcopalians formed a procession and marched out. The Christian Scientists concluded that there was no real fire. The Presbyterians appointed a chairperson to appoint a committee to look into the matter and make a written report.
And the church secretary grabbed a fire extinguisher and put the fire out.
Leadership. We all want good leadership — good shepherds to lead us in and out of green pasture. We vote hoping to elect it, we apply for jobs hoping to work for it, and we go to school hoping to be educated by it. But we do not always find it. The trust we place in our leaders can be broken. So what are we to do? John 10 holds the answer.
Look at the picture Jesus gives us here in John 10: This wonderful vivid portrait of a shepherd caring for his sheep. The shepherd would lead his sheep out to distant areas and stay there for days. Being a good shepherd, he created a temporary corral, a pen to keep the sheep in when they were not grazing. Using the crude stones of the field, a shepherd could quickly put together such a structure, and at night, he would lay his body down in the opening of this corral, making himself the door. No sheep could wander away at night unless it stepped over the sleeping shepherd, and no wolf could come in to do harm without waking the shepherd. He is the gate.
Do you see what is happening here? More than any other duty the goal of the shepherd is to protect the sheep. This is how you know a good shepherd from a bad shepherd. Does the shepherd — the leader — have the best interest of his people at heart? How do you know that he or she is a good shepherd? You know by looking at the sheep.
John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:27-28: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish…” We have a good shepherd because He gave His life for us, and we can follow Him with full confidence that He will lead us safely to heaven. Will you let Him be your shepherd?
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