Patrick (21)

Boldly he announces the Lord’s name to the pagans,
giving them the eternal grace of the bath of salvation,
praying daily to God on account of their sins,
offering sacrifices for their sake, as befitting to God.

He rejects all the world’s glory for the sake of divine law,
considering it all mere scraps at its table;
nor is he disturbed by the hurtling lightning of this world,
but rejoices in hardships since he suffers for Christ’s sake.

A good and faithful shepherd of the Gospel’s flock
whom God has chosen to guard the people of God
and to nourish his folk with divine teachings—
for whom, following Christ’s example, he has offered up his life.

 - Sechnall, Audite Omnes Amantes

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

 - 2 Timothy 4.5

“I am the good shepherd.”

 - John 10.11

It is striking to see how Patrick’s ministry followed carefully the outline for shepherding that Jesus taught in John 10. We have already seen that Patrick knew his sheep and they knew him, so that they readily followed as he led (Jn. 10.4, 14). He had a clear and compelling vision of what God had called him to do, and that vision was infectious for men like Sechnall and many others (Jn. 10.4).

And we saw in his Letter against the Soldiers of Coroticus the lengths he would go to defend and care for his sheep (Jn. 10.10-13). Know the sheep, lead and feed the sheep, defend and care for the sheep: These are three indispensable works every shepherd must diligently pursue.

In these three stanzas of Sechnall’s hymn, we note the remaining three of the six works of a shepherd Jesus took upon Himself, all of which he has previously mentioned.

First, Patrick laid down his life for the sheep (Jn. 10.15), or, as Sechnall put it, Patrick followed “Christ’s example” and “offered up his life.” Patrick denied himself at every turn. He was frequently offered gifts and favors, but he refused them all. He was courageous in defense of the Lord’s sheep and in proclaiming the Gospel to pagans. He was willing to die—and, indeed, expected to—for the cause of Christ. He was not his own, you see; he had been bought with the price of Christ’s blood.

Second, as a good and faithful shepherd Patrick fed the Lord’s sheep “with divine teachings”. He fed them the good loaves of the Gospel by words and deeds so that they might have eternal life and grow increasingly in it (Jn. 10.11, 28). Patrick was not trying to enlist people in a movement or project. He was not interested in converts only or a large number of members; he called people to follow Jesus.

Finally, Patrick fulfilled his ministry by doing the work of an evangelist. There were always “other sheep” (Jn. 10.16) to be sought and found, and large pools of fish to be gathered in by nets of doctrine. Evangelizing the lost was as much a part of Patrick’s ministry as making disciples, starting churches, and ordaining men to the ministry of the Word.

He was a good shepherd, following the model of Jesus. He knew and loved his sheep and they knew, loved, and followed him as he led and fed them with God’s Word. He helped them to increase in the gift of eternal life, defended them against hirelings and thieves, brought many to saving faith, and he laid down his life for the Lord’s sheep to the end of his days.

He was a good and faithful shepherd and demonstrated what the work of shepherding requires of all those who seek such a ministry.

Pastors are not good and faithful shepherds because they preach well, oversee a lot of programs and activities, grow a large and happy congregation, or make everyone feel good about their church. They are good and faithful shepherds when, like Jesus and Patrick, they persevere in all the work of shepherding, looking to the Lord for strength and direction to persevere in seeking, caring for, feeding, and growing His sheep.

The calling to shepherd God’s sheep falls to some extent on everyone who believes in Jesus. We too must be ready to shepherd any of His sheep whom the Lord is pleased to bring within our reach, that they might grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and follow Him, our Good Shepherd, in all their ways. And we must cast our “nets of doctrine” into the deep waters of the unbelieving world, in the full expectation that the Lord will enable us truly to “catch men” (Lk. 5.1-10).

For Reflection
1. Looking ahead, which of the works of a shepherd will be required of you today?

2. How should you prepare for those works, now and throughout the day?

Psalm 28.8, 9 (Angel’s Story: O Jesus, I Have Promised)
Our strength are You, O Savior, our strong defense and sure.
Anointed with Your favor, we rest in You secure.
Save us, and bless us, Jesus, upon us turn Your face.
With shepherd’s care, LORD, keep us forever in Your grace.

Keep me in your grace today as I shepherd Your flock by…

T. M. Moore

Patrick’s Legacy
You can read more about the impact of Patrick’s ministry in our book, The Legacy of Patrick. Here you’ll learn how Patrick’s work has affected generations of Christians down to our own day. Order your copy by clicking here.

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All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.