Spiritual shepherding
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13).
The early chapters of 1 Thessalonians teach us about caring for the people of God and the characteristics of spiritually shepherding them. We see this in the depth of concern Paul had toward the young Church at Thessalonica. Today’s chapter also teaches us about the confidence Paul had in his co-workers, in this particular instance, Timothy. This is a lesson we can easily pass over. In Mark 6:7 the Lord sent His disciples out two by two. We see Peter and John placed together, also Andrew and Philip. In the missionary work in the book of Acts, Paul worked with Barnabas, then with Silas and, as we see today, Timothy. Fellowship in the service of God generally, and shepherding His people particularly, is essential. This includes preparing the next generation for this ministry. This doesn’t mean the servants were always side by side, but it does mean their service was done in harmony.
Paul never saw himself as indispensable. He valued and encouraged gift and potential in others. He describes Timothy as a brother, a minister of God, and a fellow worker in the Gospel of Christ. As a brother, we see his responsibility in the Church; as a minister of God, we see his responsibility before God; and as a co-worker in the Gospel, we see his responsibility in the world. Timothy demonstrated his faithfulness in these areas. He established and encouraged the Thessalonians in their faith because he had been established and encouraged in his own faith. He was not sent out unprepared. By being shepherded, he became a shepherd.
In sending Timothy to Thessalonica, Paul was not relinquishing his concern for those he brought to Christ: he was fulfilling it. As a spiritual shepherd, he cared for the flock and felt their need in his own heart. He reacted to this need by sending Timothy. When Timothy returned to tell Paul about the good news of the Thessalonians’ work of faith, labour of love, and steadfast hope, the apostle was overjoyed. And what especially touched him was the affection they had towards him personally. This helps us to understand how the Flock of God develops. The work of spiritual shepherding begins with an understanding of the preciousness of the people of God to Christ. It is a service of love which always acts selflessly for the good of God’s people. It generates mutual love. It is done in fellowship with others and under the guidance of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Good, Great and Chief Shepherd. The work is marked by genuine concern, loving action, intercession, thankfulness, and stimulates the ability and gift of others. The aim is to see the people of God, both standing fast and growing in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul worked tirelessly to shepherd the people of God. He also developed servants of God like Timothy to continue this work. But above all, he understood it was only through dependence upon our God and Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit that this work could be accomplished to God’s glory and our blessing.
