(Dr. BJ Hefer)
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
(Matt. 9:36)
Jesus Christ exemplified the heart of pastoral ministry during his earthly ministry. Matthew shows us that Christ looked at the crowds with a heart full of compassion, for the people were “harassed” and “helpless”, that is, they were troubled, bewildered, cast down, and not able to fend for themselves. After his resurrection, Christ calls Peter to “feed” and “tend” to the flock (John 21:15–17), who is the pastor of the flock of Christ.
In this world we are living in, the flock of Christ is in dire need of shepherds answering the calling of Christ to “feed” and “tend” to his sheep. Today there is a multitude of bewildered and cast-down sheep scattered across our country and continent. As servants of Christ, we are called to tend to these with a pastoral heart. What are the key features of a “pastoral heart”?
The first cue we take from Christ Himself. Having a pastoral heart means that we show compassion to the troubled and downcast (Matt. 9:36). Christ didn’t only teach the crowds; He made a point of showing compassion. He healed the sick, drove out demons, restored life, and gave hope. Likewise, we are to enter the world of the troubled and downcast, extending a compassionate heart to give hope. The apostle Paul states in 2 Timothy 3:16 that Scripture is profitable for, amongst other things, “correction”. The word he uses here refers to a bone that has been broken and needs to be set for it to mend. We are to be “soul-menders”. In this sense, we are to be vigilant and not be so academic that we stop being compassionate.
Being compassionate, however, also means that we provide the pure spiritual milk of the Gospel (1 Peter 2:2-3) for people to taste the goodness of God in Christ. Paul states in his address to the elders of Ephesus in Acts 20:27 that he had left nothing out that would be profitable to them. We are therefore called to tend and feed the sheep with the Gospel of salvation in Christ and all that entails, without compromising on the truths of Scripture.
A good shepherd did not only provide food for the sheep but also protection. Likewise, having a pastoral heart means that we protect the flock of Christ against the dangers and onslaughts of false teachers and heresies (Acts 20:29). Today the church in South Africa and abroad is being targeted by Satan via lies, heresies, and false teachers. As Mukhanyo, we are called to call men and women up to arms to defend the truth of the Gospel, provide shelter for the downcast, and equip them to tend to the troubled with the heart of Christ.
Therefore, let us pray to have the heart of Christ: to show compassion to the downcast of spirit, to be menders of the soul, giving hope, and to have havens of refuge as we proclaim the truths of the Gospel.
Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash
