Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The Pastoral Heart of Interpreter


“...my Master, you must know, is one of very tender bowels, especially to them that are afraid; wherefore he carried it so towards him as might tend most to his encouragement.”
- Great-heart, speaking of Interpreter, in “Pilgrim’s Progress” (Book 2, Stage 6) by John Bunyan (1628-1688)

17th century language aside, this is a great reminder to pastor-teachers. May we be more like the Interpreter.

“But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us...you are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:7,8,10-12).

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