Thursday, November 3, 2016
Romans 14:8, 13 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord ... make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.
THE SHEPHERD'S HEART
When by their actions some of the Christians in Rome put the faith of their weaker brothers in jeopardy, the Apostle Paul, by inspiration of the Spirit,wrote to them about it. For Paul, "living for Christ" meant showing a Christ-like love for believers both weak and strong. The great Good Shepherd gives His under-shepherds a heart like His own.
While Martin Luther lived hidden away in the Wartburg, he kept in close touch by letter with the teachers and pastors some 170 miles distant in Wittenberg. The people of that city were especially on his heart. A month after he was secreted in the castle fortress he dedicated an exposition of Psalm 37 to "the poor little flock of Christ at Wittenberg." When, in the months that followed, some of the church leaders in Wittenberg made changes in liturgy, the Lord's Supper, the marriage of priests, and other things without instructing the common people, they led many to fear they were doing wrong. Men like Karlstadt did not stop to think that making such changes without carefully explaining the Word of God behind their actions confused and vexed simple Christians who were bewildered by what was happening in their church.
Luther's heart went out to those people whose tender consciences were being trampled on. He counseled the leaders in Wittenberg to slow down and take the time to show the people the Gospel foundation for the changes being initiated. Better the strong wait in love for the weak to catch up, than that the faith of some be damaged or even destroyed. When his letters did not bring about the kind of concern for the weak Luther felt for "Christ's poor little flock," the Reformer put in an unexpected personal appearance in Wittenberg. In early December 1521, bearded and in the garb of a knight (complete with sword), he covered the 170 miles on horseback, some of it through territory controlled by his enemies, in order to settle things down by speaking up for the simple Christians he had been preaching to regularly just eight months previous.
The New Testament describes Christians as people whom the Father makes more and more in the likeness of Jesus. When we think and love like our Lord Jesus, we will see our fellow believers as He does. As sheep for whom the Good Shepherd laid down His life. As sheep in need of a shepherd's care.
As sheep about whom we care.
