“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:8). The angelic announcement of our Savior’s birth went to the humblest class of people of that day. Let’s take a moment to consider what these shepherds were doing in “keeping watch over their flock by night.”
The word “watch” is from the Greek term phulakas which referred to the act of watching or guarding. It described the work done by shepherds as well as by prison guards (Acts 12:10). At night, these shepherds would take turns standing a watch over the sheep while the other shepherds slept. There was a need to guard the sheep from wild animals or thieves who intended to do them harm, and to guard the sheep from wandering off into danger.
The Lord has given the local church shepherds who are to watch over the flock. We call these men elders. Knollwood is blessed to have five men serving in this capacity. Consider Paul’s charge to the elders of the church in Ephesus.
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to 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.
29 For I know this, that after my departure
savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up,
speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three
years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears (Acts 20:28-31).
As shepherds of the local church, elders are in the “watching business.” They are to take heed to themselves (as individuals and as an eldership) and to all the flock (the local church and the members individually).
“Take heed” is translated from the Greek term prosecho which means to “pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to” (Strong’s). They are to pay attention to things that would endanger the flock. “Savage wolves” are individuals who would come into the local church and do harm either by teaching error (Gal. 1:6-9), setting a bad example and leading others into sin (Rev. 2:20), or being troublemakers and destroying the peace of the local church (Rom. 16:17). While love requires us to always think the best in others (1 Cor. 13:7), elders need to “be cautious about” those who come into the flock as new members. There needs to be time to observe the fruits of individuals (Matt. 7:15-20) before they are allowed to exert an influence upon the congregation.
Paul also spoke of the possibility of dangers arising from the eldership itself (Acts 20:30). There must be a plurality of men in an eldership, in part, for this purpose. Any Christian is capable of going astray (1 Cor. 10:12). When this happens to an individual, his soul is in danger. However, when this happens to one leading a local congregation, many souls are in danger. God’s wisdom is seen in Him placing “checks and balances” within every eldership. These men need to keep a watch on themselves and on one another.
Finally, elders are to keep watch over the individual members of the congregation. “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17). In this passage, the word “watch” is translated from the Greek term agrupnia. This term refers to sleeplessness, which describes the concern the shepherd has for his sheep. Look back at the verse with this in mind. The elders sacrifice their time and energy to watch tirelessly so that the members can go about their work. In return, God calls upon the members to obey and submit to the elders.
Elders have a good work to accomplish. A primary part of this work is keeping watch over the flock. Let’s be thankful for the men who serve this congregation as faithful elders, encourage them in their work, and do our part to make their task easier.