2006년 3월 19일, 칼라마주 한인교회 주일설교
What is Pastor?
John 21:15-17
[15] When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." [16] Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." [17] The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
1. Last Sunday afternoon, we had a nice installation service. Though it seems simply to be ceremonial, you and I made heavily important promises to keep, that is, to be good pastor (shepherd) and nice sheep.
2. Jesus’ pastoral commission to Peter in John 21 is the most clear event of pastoral installation, though it lacks the presence of sheep. Christ commanded and commissioned for Peter to be pastor: "feed my sheep." What was the qualification to be pastor? Jesus asked only one thing: "Do you love me?" Why? It is because to be pastor is to love enough to sacrifice for them. All the other qualifications are secondary. And, it is strange why Jesus asked for Peter to "love me", not to love sheep? It is because they are not Peter’s sheep but "my (Jesus’) sheep." The love of Jesus makes the love of His sheep possible. Without the genuine love of Jesus, pastor’s love of sheep will become worldly, i.e., for his own interest and profit, as seen in some worldly pastors: "The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep."(John 10.12-13) Jesus is the Good Shepherd who loves His sheep unto death. To love Christ is to follow Him, His example as the Good Shepherd.
3. What is the duty of pastor? Jesus commanded three times: "Feed my lamb", "Take care of my sheep", and "Feed my sheep." Two Greek words are used: bosko and poimaino. First, pastor feeds sheep well to make them live and grow. Second, pastor does exercise, discipline, and train them to be healthy and strong. Third, pastor cares for sheep, watching over, healing, and protecting them from every sickness and danger. Fourth, pastor does guide and lead sheep to the right way and destination without losing or leaving any sheep.
4. Then, what is the duty of sheep to pastor? First, sheep should recognize that they are sheep with the need of shepherd. Second, sheep should accept the pastor to help them. Third, sheep should open their mouth, eat and drink what shepherd provides in order to be fed well and grow. Fourth, sheep should follow his direction with trust and love: "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."(Heb 13.17)