The Day The Wolves Arrived

“Savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29).

 As the darkness of night settled in, a pair of shepherd dogs were on duty watching over the flock. These two dogs knew their job. They were working dogs, bred to protect. They guarded the flock in their charge, expectantly watching for threats. On this particular night a pack of eleven coyotes descended on the flock under the cover of darkness.

The shepherd dogs, without hesitation, sprang into action. One immediately corralled the flock and stood between them and the attackers in a defensive stance, while the second dog, although outnumbered eleven-to-one, took offensive action and without hesitation charged the pack of advancing coyotes well before they could reach the flock. The brutality of the battle would soon become evident. This was a fight that was going to come with a high price. What transpired that night was a demonstration of resolute obedience with bold courage.

By morning light the flock was safe and eight of the eleven coyotes were dead. Likely injured, the fate of the other three was unknown and the shepherd dog was missing. Days later the shepherd dog, severely wounded, exhausted and barely able to walk, returned to his master. The cost was high, wounds were deep, his tail ripped off along with many lacerations. Recovery was long and hard. At first sight of the injured dog, it was clear, he would have fought to the death.

He fearlessly protected the flock from the aggressors, who had savage intent to do harm. What eleven coyotes did not know that night, was that they were no match against one dog who was unflinchingly determined and committed to doing his job.

Lesson

This story is a simple illustration of the protective attitude and determination the men appointed by the Holy Spirit to shepherd Christ’s flock must have. The words of Matthew Henry capture what drives the shepherd in his duties: “The world is God's by right of creation, but the church is His by right of redemption, and therefore it ought to be dear to us, for it was dear to Him, because it cost Him dear.”

The Warning

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be watchful” (Acts 20:28-31).

This will happen! A certainty ... “savage wolves will come.” There is no ambiguity in these words, no room for naivety. Shepherds are to expect attacks, “therefore be watchful.” With such knowledge, shepherds are to be on the lookout, with anticipation and not surprised when attackers come.

The Preparation

Take note of the preparatory instruction given in these verses and where the starting point is: “Be on guard for yourselves.” A shepherd is first to “guard” himself in order to guard the flock. How is a shepherd to guard himself? Looking back to verse 20 and 21, “I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Guarding one’s self is Christ-centric by nature. Being immersed in the Word, the light of Truth (cf. John 1:1). To declare the Word is knowing the Word intimately, believing the whole of it without hesitation. It is a Psalm 19 love for God’s law - second to none. This is how to guard yourself, standing firm “HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH” (Ephesians 6:14). This is a shepherd prepared for what will surely come, by first by guarding himself, only then will he be able to guard others.

The Watch

Christ’s flock is precious, “He purchased with His own blood.” As John Calvin put it; here “the Lord gave clear proof of the high regard in which he holds the church.” A very high price was paid in the purchase of the church. The flock, meaning the church, was paid for by Christ. The church belongs to Christ and is His body - Christ Himself (cf. Acts 9:4). Therefore, this must be the shepherd’s motivation to fully perform his duty; “Therefore be watchful” (Acts 20:31), a duty requiring being constantly alert, always preparing and ready for action. Leaders are to be vigilant in their oversight, scanning the horizon for trouble. In this sense, there is no time off, it is a 24/7 duty.

The Equipping

Guarding the flock begins by equipping, “not shrink[ing] from declaring ... the whole purpose of God” (Acts 20:27). Simply put, all of God’s Word is relevant, from cover to cover, New and Old Testament. God spoke it and the flock must be taught it. Again, Matthew Henry: "It [the church] is His own; you are but His servants to take care of it for Him. It is your honour that you are employed for God ... so much the worse if you neglect your work, for you wrong God and are false to Him. From Him you received the trust, and to Him you must give up your account, and therefore take heed to yourselves. And, if it be the church of God, He expects you should show your love to Him by feeding his sheep and lambs" (emphasis mine). Paul's solemn charge to Timothy applies to every church leader, "preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:1-2).

"The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" is the only effective weapon against the wolves of spiritual darkness (Ephesians 6:17). It is the weapon for both defensive and offensive battles. It is the only weapon given to shepherd's and the only weapon that will prevail.

The Cost

The past few years have seen the wolves arrive in great numbers. The attacks exposed many derelicts in church leadership - men who considered the cost of shepherding and were unwilling to pay the price. When the enemy arrived, they at best hesitated, while many ran and hid leaving the flock exposed. They showed themselves to be cowards, spineless and weak. Of course they armed themselves with many justifications, even to the point of bending scripture to fit their justifications. The flock suffered great loss. These men must repent or step away from leadership for which they are not qualified.

Faithful shepherds, are men at their very core lionhearted - valiant men. These shepherds will take courage from their master, "consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary, fainting in heart" (Hebrews 12:3). Taking courage leads to fearless courage! Like men of old, listed in chapter 11 of Hebrews, who could not be bought, coerced or intimidated. They followed Christ's example. So many in number, they are referred to as a "great a cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1).

The Price

These are men who willingly paid the cost; "they were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword. They went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, mistreated" (Hebrews 11:37).

These are men "laying aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Approved

These are men who "gained approval through their faith" (Hebrews 11:39). Men "who through faith conquered kingdoms, performed righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong from weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight" (Hebrews 11:33-34). What an amazing testimony.

These are men who first guarded themselves with the Word, and so were able to guard Christ's flock; and who then took on an offensive stance against the enemy. Taking up the invincible "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," ready in obedience, to fearlessly charge the enemy, regardless of the visible odds (Ephesians 6:17). These are the leaders who take this admonishment to heart: "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus" (Hebrews 12:1-2).

If a simple shepherd dog knows his duty, how can men appointed as shepherds and overseers by the Holy Spirit know any less?

“The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 10:11