“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17 ESV).
The author of Hebrews exhorted first-century Jewish-background Christians, believers who were tempted to be “led away” (v.9) from the gospel of grace, to follow the spiritual leaders Christ had set over them. These believers were tempted toward two dangerous ditches: either to fall back toward Old Covenant rituals and legalistic food laws, or to the lure of “various and strange teachings” that distorted the gospel. Into this confusion, the writer reminded them that Christ, the “Great Shepherd of the sheep” (v.20), had appointed faithful under-shepherds to guard their souls. These leaders carried out their ministry with the sober awareness that they would give an account to God for the flock. When believers willingly obeyed and submitted to such shepherds, the leaders served with joy, but resistance and distrust made their work a burden, and ultimately brought no spiritual benefit to the people. Throughout church history, one of the marks of a strong, healthy congregation has been a loving, humble, gospel-centered relationship between the church and its pastors who faithfully preach the Word and lead by example.
As Christ’s people, we want to follow the shepherds He has placed over us, not blindly, but humbly, because they watch over our souls and point us to Jesus. We recognize that Christ is our Great Shepherd, and He cares for us through faithful pastors and elders. So we desire to cultivate teachable, supportive, prayerful hearts, making their ministry a joy rather than a grief. When we follow leaders who follow Christ, we grow in unity, holiness, and gospel stability, avoiding the ditches of legalism on one side and license on the other. By God’s grace, we long to be a church marked by love for our shepherds and deep devotion to Christ and His Word.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for appointing shepherds who watch over our souls. We ask You to give us humble, teachable hearts that follow their leadership as they follow Christ. Help us to support them, pray for them, and bring them joy in their ministry. Keep us from doctrinal drift, and lead us always in the grace and truth of Your Son, our Great Shepherd. For it’s in His name we pray, amen.