by jmabus » Tue Aug 13, 2019 9:03 pm
Self-giving: Laniak writes, “Following Jesus involves literally taking up one’s cross. To serve this shepherd requires laying down one’s life in the service of his flock� (187). This is an ongoing theme throughout the book. There is an ongoing view that the servant of Yahweh will be suffering for the people of God. Laniak writes, “Followers of Jesus are extensions of a ministry characterized by suffering� (231). This theme is most clearly seen in Revelation. Following the Lamb wherever he goes is the pattern of true discipleship. Overcoming is lived out through faithfulness through suffering for Jesus. “The paradox of Christ’s victory through death is the norm for his followers� (242).
As pastors, this isn’t to give us a martyr syndrome, but it will help us see success and faithfulness in a new light. Jesus shepherds his people by his self-sacrificial giving. He doesn’t give up on his principles but his prestige and personal comfort. Jesus never wavered on what was needed, what was right, and good. However, he did not see prestige or personality persuasiveness as the means of his mission accomplishment. Shepherding meant protective care which involved risk, pain, and death. Our concept of shepherding should draw its patterns from this perspective instead of the market-place franchising mantras of many leadership concepts.
Self-giving: Laniak writes, “Following Jesus involves literally taking up one’s cross. To serve this shepherd requires laying down one’s life in the service of his flock� (187). This is an ongoing theme throughout the book. There is an ongoing view that the servant of Yahweh will be suffering for the people of God. Laniak writes, “Followers of Jesus are extensions of a ministry characterized by suffering� (231). This theme is most clearly seen in Revelation. Following the Lamb wherever he goes is the pattern of true discipleship. Overcoming is lived out through faithfulness through suffering for Jesus. “The paradox of Christ’s victory through death is the norm for his followers� (242).
As pastors, this isn’t to give us a martyr syndrome, but it will help us see success and faithfulness in a new light. Jesus shepherds his people by his self-sacrificial giving. He doesn’t give up on his principles but his prestige and personal comfort. Jesus never wavered on what was needed, what was right, and good. However, he did not see prestige or personality persuasiveness as the means of his mission accomplishment. Shepherding meant protective care which involved risk, pain, and death. Our concept of shepherding should draw its patterns from this perspective instead of the market-place franchising mantras of many leadership concepts.