READING: Proverbs 30-31, 2 Corinthians 11:1-15
“For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy.”
2 Corinthians 11:2
Today’s reading in 2 Corinthians makes me want to be a senior pastor again. That often happens when I read about a leader’s heart for the people God calls him to lead, as there is nothing quite like a shepherd’s love for his sheep. My love for my wife Pam is unique, of course, but there’s still something special about loving the people of God.
Paul was not the pastor for the Corinthians, but he was a primary agent in the founding of their church. He viewed them as his beloved children (1 Cor. 4:14-15), the spiritual offspring of his missionary ministry. Now, they faced the reality of false apostles in their midst – enemies of the church whose presence forced Paul to defend his own apostleship. He didn’t want to defend his pedigree, but he felt it important to do so to keep them focused on the truth he proclaimed. Moreover, he so deeply loved them that he was willing to do what he must to keep them on track; indeed, he loved them with a love that comes from God alone: “For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy, because I have promised you in marriage to one husband—to present a pure virgin to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:2).
Paul viewed the Corinthians as if they were his daughters, and he was their spiritual father experiencing divine jealousy when someone else sought to lead them astray. His commitment to them was to guard them, guide them, and correct them when necessary so that they might live pure and holy lives before God. Paul saw it as his role to lead them so he might present his pure daughters in marriage to the Bridegroom – and he had no intention of allowing the false teachers to get in the way. He simply loved the Corinthians with a love the world cannot manufacture or understand.
That’s the heart of a Christian leader whose heart is connected with the heart of a congregation. They may drive him crazy some days, but he will fight for them. Their faith may be weak, but he will stand in prayer for them and challenge them to believe. They may be susceptible to false teaching, but that doesn’t make him give up on them – it makes him intercede more on their behalf. He, like God, doesn’t turn away from his spiritual children even when they might turn away from him.
So, I say it again: there’s nothing quite like the love of a shepherd for his sheep.
ACTION STEPS:
- Pray for at least three local church shepherds you know. Thank God for them.
- Ask God to give you new children in the faith. Begin by sharing the gospel with someone today.
PRAYER: “Father, thank You for shepherds who have Your heart.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Ecclesiastes 1-3, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33
