Jesus, our chief Shepherd, is remarkably tough and remarkably tender — and often at times and in ways we don’t expect.
We see this surprising mixture over and over in the Gospels: he pursues the Samaritan woman (tender) and confronts her promiscuity (tough); he calls the Canaanite woman a “puppy” (tough) and heals her daughter (tender); he names Peter “Rock” (tender) and then calls him Satan (tough); he accepts the prostitute’s tears (tender) and casts a woe on the Pharisees’ tithe (tough). Now, if pastors should look like Jesus, if undershepherds should imitate the great Shepherd, what are we to do with that?
Wemightsimplynotethatpastorsneedtobeflexible,abletoplaydifferentrolesatdifferenttimes.ButIdon’tthinkthisgetstotheheartofthematter.Thisisn’treallyapragmaticquestionofhowweshouldactinspecificsituations.Jesuswasmuchmorethananexpertinworkingouthowtorelatetopeopleineverysituation.Hedidwhathedidandsaidwhathesaidbecausehewaswhohewas.Hisexamplepushesuspastorstoreflectonthekindofmenweare.Morethanthat,itconfrontsuswithabasicquestion:DowepursueChristlikenessinministrymore
