Pastoral Vision (4)

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4.6

The end of the Christian life is to be like Jesus (1 Jn. 3.1-3). To that end, the Holy Spirit is at work within us, willing and doing of God’s pleasure to transform us from glory to glory into the image of Jesus (Phil. 2.13; 2 Cor. 3.12-18). The goal of the church—every local church—is to mature into its true essence, which is the Body of Christ, in love for God and neighbors (Eph. 4.11-16).

Thus, unless we as shepherds have a clear and compelling vision of Jesus, we’re not going to be of much use to those we serve. We must seek the Lord day by day, that we may find Him and thus find our true vision, for ourselves, our flock, and the Body of Christ.

Clement of Rome (fl. ca. 90-100 AD) understood this well: “This is the way, beloved, in which we find our Saviour, even Jesus Christ, the High Priest of all our offerings, the defender and helper of our infirmity. By Him we look up to the heights of heaven. By Him we behold, as in a glass, His immaculate and most excellent visage. By Him are the eyes of our hearts opened. By Him our foolish and darkened understanding blossoms up anew towards His marvelous light. By Him the Lord willed that we should taste of immortal knowledge, ‘who, being the brightness of His majesty, is by so much greater than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they’” (1 Clement 36).

Clement, following Paul, pointed the churches in Corinth to the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ exalted, and called on them to fix their desires and aspirations there. Scripture provides many excellent glimpses of our exalted King—Revelation 1 and 14, Psalms 2, 45, 110, for example—and by practicing meditation on these passages we can get a better sense of what God wants to do in and through our lives and our churches.

We aren’t what we eat or wear; we are what we behold.

Resources for Shepherds
You might find some help in seeing Jesus more clearly and consistently by working through our ReVision study, “We Would See Jesus.” You can download this complete study by clicking here.

Three other resources to help improve our vision of Christ are available in our bookstore. Be Thou My Vision offers readings from Scripture and the Celtic Revival, a daily meditation, questions for reflection, a psalm for singing, and weekly review questions. This is an excellent study for individual or group use, and it’s available by clicking here.

What in Heaven Is Jesus Doing on Earth? considers Christ in His exaltation and glory, especially with respect to how what He is doing impacts us here and now. Order your copy by clicking here (also available for free in PDF by clicking here).

Finally, To Know Him follows Paul through Philippians 3 to help us understand what’s involved in growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. It’s available by clicking here.

From the Celtic Revival
Patrick understood that the trials and challenges of this life could only be endured if we have our mind set on Christ, ruling in glory:

        For I can see
that even now the Lord exalted me,
though I unworthy am of this and of
the way He has provided in His love
for me. I know that I am better fit
for poverty and trouble than to sit
in luxury and wealth. Just so the Lord
was poor for us, as it is in His Word
recorded. I am indigent and poor,
and even if I ever wanted more
than this, I do not have it. This is how
I estimate myself before Him now;
and daily I expect that I will be
betrayed or killed or put in slavery
again, or something of the kind. And yet,
because His Word is sure, I do not let
such things deter or frighten me. For I
have thrown myself upon the Lord Most High,
Who reigns throughout the earth and sky, just as
the prophet says, “On Him your burdens cast,
and all your cares; He will sustain you.”

 - Patrick, Confession

The vision of Christ is the source of our joy and strength, for becoming like Christ is what we’re made for. The more we realize that glorious vision—and help others realize it—the more we will know the joy and Presence of the Lord.

You can follow Patrick’s story by subscribing to Crosfigell. Update your subscriptions or start a new one by clicking here.

Want to learn about more of the great leaders of the Celtic Revival? You can download the PDF of our book, Lives of Irish Saints, by clicking here.

T. M. Moore

Support for Pastor to Pastor comes from our faithful and generous God, who moves our readers to share financially in our work. If this article was helpful, please give Him thanks and praise.

And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 103 Reynolds Lane, West Grove, PA 19390..

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.