To Be The Shepherd

Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NLT

I am a huge Samuel L. Jackson fan.  I was watching the movie Pulp Fiction the other day, and marveled at the character named ‘Jules Winnfield’ played by him.  At various parts of the movie he quoted the Biblical verse of Ezekiel 25:17. He said:

The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men.  Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children.  And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers.  And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.

Now this sounds all good, but if you know your bible, you know this is not accurate at all (only the last part “And you will know …”).  However, I have learned over the years that if you dismiss something entirely, you might miss something important.  As I watched the final scene of the movie, I gained a level of understanding for the ending.  It is summed up best by Jules talking about an epiphany he had to a man named Ringo, who initially attempted to rob him but now found himself at Jules’ choice of mercy.  In that moment, Jules is trying to understand what the verse meant.  He tells the attempted robber, “The truth is you’re the weak, and I am the tyranny of evil men.  But I’m trying, Ringo.  I’m trying real hard to be the shepherd.”  This hit me because it at times describes a part of our spiritual journey so well.  We are all in this world, and at times, we will find ourselves part of its craziness and insanity trying hard to be the shepherd to others who have lost their way.

We must remember to represent the shepherd to others as Christ represented us.  While the scene focused on Ezekiel 25, I found myself gravitating to the message of Paul to the Corinthians.  Today’s verses, which focus on serving men, was particularly more fitting than the wildly misquoted verse used in the scene because the conversation was between two criminals: a robber (Ringo) and assassin (Jules).  Jules in this case was becoming the converted, and now was extending grace onto Ringo.  Now this even to me seemed like a stretch, but by putting in the context of today’s verses, it made perfect sense.  Paul said of his being, “to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law.” (I Corinthians 9:21 NKJV)  Today’s verses are not about changing to be like someone else to win them to Christ.  Instead, they are to help us understand others and see their views and perspectives to better speak to them.  You can speak to an alcoholic about Christ, but only someone who has struggled with alcoholism and been saved can truly relate.  You see?  Sometimes when you cannot relate, you are the messenger, but when you can and truly understand another’s challenges and struggles, it is then, like Jules, you are the message.

God grants us His grace so that we may be of service to others.  Paul clearly understood this as he wrote to the Corinthians.  Jesus did as well when He ordered the Great Commission to the disciples saying, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) Whether it be by action, deeds, friendship, or other relationship, we owe it to others displaying the love of Christ because Christ so loved us first.  Let us be the personal representatives that He has been for us.  Who can you show Christ’s love and grace to?  How can you be a better representative of Christ to others?  My prayer is that we remember the guidance of Christ, and through tough times, we try real hard to be the shepherd.  Amen.