Tend My Sheep

And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.

God has so arranged matters in the Church that one man, namely a Pastor, is given to preach and administer the Sacraments. In this way grace and peace are multiplied toward all mankind. It would be a real mess if everyone and his brother all got up at the same time to speak.

Beneath the office of Pastor is hidden all the glory, majesty, eternity, and blessing that comes with being in His presence. He has established this ministry as a means of dwelling in your midst in tender mercy and compassion, so that you are not dealt with as your sin deserves.

The same happens, in a way, when the head of the household teaches his children. The majesty and glory of God are hidden there, as His Name is brought to bear in truth and purity upon lives from one generation to the next.

No Pastor is able to undertake this work of his own accord or with his own genius. No, he takes what he himself has received, and distributes it. You see, by one man preaching and doing this work of distributing the gifts of forgiveness of sins, many are blessed as this grace and peace is multiplied.

Some may take offense at being called “sheep,” but this is one of the most apt descriptions for poor sinners, whose will is constantly at odds with the Creator, who have an inclination toward a herd mentality, and who must be fed proper food if they are to flourish in peace.

It is best if we admit and confess who we are as Christ Jesus calls us this name of “sheep,” despite how lowly the attribution might be. What this means is that you have been taught to hunger for righteousness and receive it in the Sacrament of the Altar.

A faithful Pastor does not consider the people to whom he preaches as his own possession, but rather Christ’s, who were purchased at the price of His holy precious blood; His innocent suffering and death, His resurrection from the dead.

“Shepherd My sheep.” The admonishment leaves out every kind of trickery, gimmick, and program that people would use to wield power over one another. Instead it places firmly within the Pastor’s prerogative the gifts and blessings needed to bring poor sinners into the Kingdom of Heaven, namely the Word to which God Himself is bound forever, and the Sacraments to which He and His Word are also bound
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