Being a shepherd
by Glenn Crouch
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Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be (1 Peter 5:2).
Read 1 Peter 5:1–7
When I was a young adult involved in youth work with Scripture Union, people would say that I should become a pastor. I would smile and say that God had called me to work with young people – besides, pastoring was too hard a job for me. I think how God must have smiled at me in my youthful ignorance (now I’m not so young), and he had other plans.
Yesterday, we saw Paul commissioning the shepherds of Ephesus. Today, we see Peter doing a similar task. Verse 2 gives us interesting insight into vocation, and not just that of being a shepherd. Peter encourages willingness rather than inevitability. Yes, God wants you to do this, but you also must want to do it. Note also that being a shepherd is not about greed or power, but serving faithfully until our Great Shepherd (verse 4) appears.
It is worth rereading verses 5 and 6. Humility and a willingness to submit to those with more experience are not easy things for many of us. However, this is the way to follow Jesus. While American pastor and author Tim Keller didn’t invent the saying, his description of Christian humility always sticks in my mind: it is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.
We finish with verse 7, which gives us great comfort. We are often overwhelmed by screens telling us to be afraid. Be afraid of the other. Be afraid of being without food/fuel/toilet paper. Be afraid of violence/war. Is it any wonder that anxiety is rampant in our 21st-century Western culture? We need to follow this 1st-century advice: cast all your anxiety on God. Why? Because he cares for you!
Father Almighty, thanks for caring for me. Help me hand over my anxiety to you. Help me focus less on myself and more on others, and above all, help me focus on my Lord Jesus. In his name, I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.
Generations of shepherds
by Glenn Crouch
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Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood (Acts 20:28b).
Read Acts 20:25–32
A couple of years ago, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of our church building here in Esperance. I had the privilege of contacting the pastors who had served before me – some of whom I didn’t know. It was wonderful to hear the stories of these shepherds.
In our passage today, Paul is addressing the leaders of the church in Ephesus. He couldn’t enter the city, so he had these people come and meet with him at Miletus (about 50 kilometres away). Paul realises this is most likely his last time with them (verse 25), as his journey to Jerusalem is dangerous. As he has been the shepherd of Ephesus, teaching them ‘the whole will of God’ (verse 27), so now he commissions them to continue in this work (verse 28).
This is no simple task. There are savage wolves around (verse 29)! Shepherds not only have to worry about dangers from outside, but from inside as well (verse 30). This is a vocation that involves many tears (verse 31).
We often joke that pastors have it pretty easy, what with only having to work one day a week, and then only for an hour or so. We pastors often make this joke to each other, since we know how far from the truth it is. Pray for the pastors in your community, as they preach, teach, pray and weep for that community.
Think about the shepherds who have had an impact on your journey with Jesus.
Gracious Father, I lift before you all the pastors in our community. Help them be faithful to your word. Strengthen them as they teach about Jesus. Encourage them when they feel frustrated and alone. Protect them and their families from the evil one. I ask this in the name of the Good Shepherd, our Lord Jesus. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.
The Good Shepherd dies for his sheep
by Glenn Crouch
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I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).
Read John 10:11–18
We continue from Sunday’s passage, as Jesus explains more about how he is our Good Shepherd.
One thing I enjoy is getting to know people better and hearing their stories. Within our congregation, it is a blessing to discover the prayer warriors, those who care for others, those who open their homes and more. I’ve been the pastor here in Esperance for more than three years now, and I am still discovering new good works happening. No fanfare, just people following Jesus.
Today’s passage reminds us that this Jesus we follow is the Good Shepherd – and that he cares for us so much that he is not only willing to die for us, but he does die for us, willingly! His death is not something forced upon him, nor something he was tricked into. Rather, he chooses to lay down his life for us. But death did not stop our Good Shepherd – did you read verses 17 and 18?
As we discover more about our Good Shepherd, we not only learn the depth of love he has for us, but also that he has a unique relationship with the Father. Read verse 15 again. As we get to know Jesus better, we also get to know the Father better. We also see that the Father and the Good Shepherd work together for our benefit.
I’ve spent my entire life getting to know more about Jesus, and I am still discovering new things.
I encourage you to discover more about our Good Shepherd.
Father, thank you for loving me so much that you sent your Son to be our Good Shepherd. Thank you that he died for me. Thank you for his resurrection. Create in me a hunger to learn more about my Lord Jesus. In his name, I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.
Our God searches for lost sheep
by Glenn Crouch
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In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish (Matthew 18:14).
Read Matthew 18:10–14
Do you recall what God did after our parents ate the fruit way back in Genesis? God came down, walked in the garden and asked, ‘Where are you?’ (Genesis 3:8,9). They deserved death (Genesis 2:16,17), but rather than obliterating them and starting over, God searched for them. God called out to them. Sadly, our first parents didn’t turn to God; rather, they gave excuses. So, God listened patiently, explained the consequences and then he clothed them before removing them from the garden.
Our God does not sit on his heavenly throne, waiting for us sinners to come to our senses. He is not waiting for us to earn his forgiveness. No, he comes down and enters into our messiness. He comes searching for us. This is the good news of the incarnation – God becomes one of us. The amazing love of our God is seen in how far he goes so that we don’t perish (verse 14).
We all know family and friends, many of whom have been baptised, who have had a church upbringing, but who now seem far away. I encourage you to continue praying for them. Be assured that not only does our God hear us, but he is the God who searches for the lost. He will do mighty things to prevent even one of us from perishing.
Oh Father, thank you that you are indeed a God who searches. Thank you for finding me, and keep finding me when I go astray. Lord, I lift before you those who are dear to me and ask you to break through. Please find them and bring them to the cross of your dear Son. In his name, I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.
Bad shepherds do not escape justice
by Glenn Crouch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them (Ezekiel 34:11).
Read Ezekiel 34:1–16
Have you ever been in a situation where your church has let you down? Perhaps a Christian leader or mentor has failed you. Christian leaders are supposed to be shepherds who follow the example of the Good Shepherd, but what happens when they are wolves? Where is God when that happens?
In our passage today, we see God’s response to the religious and political leaders’ failure as shepherds of his people. In verse 2, they are condemned for putting themselves first. They eat and dress well (verse 3), but they do not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick (verse 4). They think they have gotten away with their mistreatment of the Lord’s people, but he sees all, and his justice will come (verse 10)!
And the really good news? God himself will get his feet dirty and search for his people, and he will look after them (verse 11). He will rescue them (verse 12) and gather them from different countries (verse 13). Oh, how good it is for God’s people to have the Lord God as their Shepherd (verses 14 to 16).
Do you also see how our Lord Jesus fulfils this prophecy? He is indeed our Good Shepherd. Put your trust in him.
You can also be assured that the promise of justice in verse 16 still applies.
For those of us in leadership, we need to heed the warning given in this passage and protect and serve his people.
Gracious Father, heal the hurt that is within me. Open my eyes to where I have hurt others, forgive me and help me make amends. Lead me to the rest that you offer, through your dear Son. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.
Jesus is the way to salvation
by Glenn Crouch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved (John 10:9a).
Read John 10:1–10
This week, we will take a journey through Scripture to explore the theme of shepherds. Given that today is celebrated as Good Shepherd Sunday, where better to begin than the Good Shepherd himself, our Lord Jesus.
When I lived in Kalgoorlie, there was really only one way to drive to Perth. You would hop onto the Great Eastern Highway and head west. Now that I live in Esperance, there are multiple ways (once you get past Ravensthorpe) to get to Perth – check Google Maps. Sometimes the choice made is one of preference; at other times, my wife and I want to see our grandson as quickly as possible, so every minute saved matters!
This is not how salvation works. We don’t open an app and choose the fastest or most scenic route. Jesus is not standing there, waving his arms and crying out, ‘Pick me! Pick me!’ There is only one gate, and that is Jesus. All other ways are used by thieves and robbers (verse 8).
Jesus says, ‘I am the gate’, not just in this verse but also in verse 7, with the double Amen (translated as ‘very truly’). Jesus is quite serious here. How do we get peace with God? Through Jesus. There is no other way. Keep following the Good Shepherd. Keep pointing others to his cross.
Heavenly Father, forgive me for how easily I become distracted and take my eyes off your dear Son. Through your Holy Spirit, make me an obedient sheep who delights in following the Good Shepherd. In his name, I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.
You are my son
by Tatiana Overduin
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, ‘You are my son; today I have become your father’ (Psalm 2:7).
Read Psalm 2
Wow! What more can be said in response to the defining message of Psalm 2? We see nations conspiring (verse 1) and kings and rulers colluding (verse 2).
Yet God shows us that he alone is sovereign over all. Enthroned in heaven, he laughs and scoffs at their plans and actions (verse 4), and he rebukes and terrifies them all.
Through this psalm, God reveals that there is only one true king who will inherit and possess the ends of the earth: his Son, Jesus.
Psalm 2 also brings a warning: be wise, you kings and rulers of the earth (verse 10). Serve the Lord with fear and trembling (verse 11). ‘Kiss the son’ (acknowledge him) lest he be angry and you perish in the way (verse 12).
To not acknowledge Jesus, the Son of God, as king of the world, is to stand under God’s judgement. Yet the psalm ends with a promise: ‘Blessed are all who take refuge in him’ (verse 12).
Heavenly Father, you sent your Son as the Saviour of the world. Help us in our distress as we witness world leaders pursuing paths of destruction. We pray that their hearts would be turned to you, so that your truth guides their decisions. May they ‘kiss the son’ and acknowledge him as king over all the earth. Protect and save your people, dear Lord, and have mercy on us for the sake of your Son. You are our Father, and we are your children. Guide and lead us in your ways. In Jesus’ holy name, we pray. Amen.
Tatiana is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Adelaide, where she enjoys singing on the music roster. She is married and has two adult children and six grandchildren. Now retired from full-time secondary education, she pursues her creative interests in fibre arts, taking inspiration from God’s hand evident in the beauty of creation.
Soldier, athlete, farmer?
by Tatiana Overduin
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this (2 Timothy 2:7).
Read 2 Timothy 2:1–8
Paul encourages us to be strong and reminds us that we are entrusted with teaching others.
We have seen recently many soldiers on the attack and others serving in defence, a difficult and courageous calling that requires strength to endure.
Earlier this year, we watched the Winter Olympics, where highly skilled and courageous athletes competed according to strict rules: a dedicated and disciplined calling requiring incredible strength.
Farmers in our own country battle against all kinds of weather elements and the constraints of daily farm work, providing the produce Australians need for basic survival: a challenging calling requiring sustaining strength.
Which vocation do you most identify with? One in particular? None?
Paul calls us to reflect more deeply and, in a sense, to identify with them all, for they share something in common. Each involves hardship, and we know that we, too, will suffer as Christians. ‘Join with me in suffering,’ he writes (verse 3).
We are called to suffer as soldiers of Christ, seeking to please our commanding officer; as a trained athlete, striving to win the victor’s crown; and as a hard-working farmer, looking forward to a share of the crop. Through all this, we are upheld by God’s grace and his eternal presence. Together with Paul, we embrace the gospel message of Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead – he who was, who is and who is to come (Revelation 1:4).
Dear Lord, grant us courage like a soldier, discipline like an athlete and stamina like a farmer, so that we may trust, follow and believe in you as Saviour of the world. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Tatiana is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Adelaide, where she enjoys singing on the music roster. She is married and has two adult children and six grandchildren. Now retired from full-time secondary education, she pursues her creative interests in fibre arts, taking inspiration from God’s hand evident in the beauty of creation.
Mercy
by Tatiana Overduin
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
I was shown mercy … (1 Timothy 1:13b).
Read 1 Timothy 1:12–17
We all have skeletons in the closet. No one, other than Christ Jesus himself, can claim to be without sin. In light of this truth, our hope lies in today’s text, which pours out grace in abundance (verse 14), along with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (verse 15). A repentant heart acknowledges that we alone cannot save ourselves. We rely fully on the saving grace of Jesus, mercifully given to us.
Wow! Saving grace! Amazing saving grace! This is what is shown to us – positively radiating! Do we radiate that to others? Or, to use another buzzword, do we ‘glimmer’?
A glimmer is the opposite of a trigger. Glimmers are moments in your day that bring joy, peace and gratitude. There is a reason we can remember to glimmer this saving grace so mercifully given to us through Christ Jesus. It is a gift freely given to us. Do we freely share this hope with others?
In our current social and political world, often so lacking in hope, we are called to share the message of Christ Jesus with others. But not in a ‘hammer-hitting’, triggering way. We’ve seen the ‘trigger’ pulled too many times of late. Grumpiness doesn’t glimmer. Short-temperedness doesn’t glimmer. Complaining doesn’t glimmer. Annoyance and anger don’t glimmer. These behaviours discourage others. Right at this moment, I confess that I’m not glimmering.
Our text today proclaims that we have been shown mercy so that Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life (verse 16). Through the daily encouragement of God’s word and the power of prayer, may we also seek to show that same patience, as an example to others.
Dear Triune God, we pray together: ‘Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen’ (verse 17). Help us, Lord, to believe and live this. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Tatiana is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Adelaide, where she enjoys singing on the music roster. She is married and has two adult children and six grandchildren. Now retired from full-time secondary education, she pursues her creative interests in fibre arts, taking inspiration from God’s hand evident in the beauty of creation.