Emphasis Preaching Journal

A marginal, struggling congregation in a small midwestern town had suffered at the hands of several pastors, none of whom had been happy assigned there. In time the parish shrank so small, a full-time pastor could no longer be afforded. There was concern that the doors would soon close. But unexpectedly, and almost "out of nowhere," a candidate came on the scene who was already employed nearby. He was seeking a small congregation "that needed some love." His salary needs from the parish were minimal and he sought to provide exactly the sort of ministry they hoped to have. The marriage was arranged. Before long the usual tests and tugs-of-war resulted. But, unlike the previous confrontations, in which pastors who sought to "protect their turf and pension" would not accommodate to local parochial whims but would, rather, look elsewhere for a church assignment, this "tent-maker" held on, gave the parish a firm but com passionate term of service, and found, having rattled some but impressed most, that they were eager to renew his contract when a year was up. "You know," one trustee whispered to another as the vote was taken, "I don't think we can blackmail this guy."

Israel needed a shepherd like that. In the promise of the one who would suddenly appear, they knew they had one coming. After that it was a waiting game.