Leadership and care in the church

35 Then Zavday’s (Grk. Zebedaios) two sons, Ya’akov (James; Grk. Yakobos) and Yohan (John; Grk. Yoannes), approached Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) and asked, “Teacher, we’d like to ask a favour from you—please don’t disappoint us.”

36 “What do you want from me?” Yeshua asked.

37 They answered, “Allow us two to sit beside you in heaven—one of us on each side of you.”

38 “You don’t even understand what you’re asking for,” Yeshua replied. “Do you think you could endure the suffering that I have to go through? Or to be enveloped in the darkness that I have to go down into?”[ref]

39 “Sure we can,” they replied.

“And indeed you all will suffer like me and be enveloped in darkness like I will be,” responded Yeshua, 40 “but as for deciding who will sit next to me, that’s not my decision to make because it’s already been decided.”

41 When the ten other apprentices heard what those two had asked for, they were upset at Ya’akov (Jacob) and Yohan (John; Grk. Yoannes). 42 But Yeshua called them over, “Listen, in most countries their rulers boss the people around and their leaders exert their authority over them.[ref] 43 But it doesn’t work like that with you—anyone of you who wants to be honoured must serve the others,[ref] 44 and anyone who wants to become the most respected has to work like a slave does. 45 Even the son of humanity didn’t come to be served, but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom to set many people free.”

15 While they were eating, Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) asked Shim’on (Simon) Kefa (Peter; Grk. Petros), “Shim’on, son of Yohan (John; Grk. Yoannes), do you love me more than these?”

Kefa answered, “Yes, master, you know that I love you.”

Yeshua responded, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Then he asked again, “Shim’on, son of Yohan, do you love me?”

Kefa replied, “Yes, master, you know that I love you.”

Yeshua responded, “Shepherd my sheep.” 17 Then he asked a third time, “Shim’on, son of Yohan, do you love me?”

Kefa was now upset that he’d been asked a third time if he loved him, and he answered, “Master, you know everything.”

“Feed my sheep,” Yeshua responded. 18 “I can assure you that while you are young, you dress yourself and go wherever you want to go, but as you age, you’ll be stretching out your hands and others will dress you and will take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 When he said this, Yeshua was indicating how Kefa would die honouring God, and he told Kefa, “Keep following me.”

5 Because of that, I’m encouraging your elders, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the messiah’s sufferings, and also a partner in the GLORY that’s going to be revealed: 2 Carefully shepherd God’s people that you care for,[ref] not out of compulsion, but willingly, listening to God, not greedily, but enthusiastically, 3 not exercising dominance over them, but being examples for them. 4 Then when the chief shepherd returns, you elders will receive the unfading crown of honour.

3 This is a trustworthy saying: ‘If anyone is aspiring to be an overseer, then it’s a good task that he’s desiring.’ 2 So it’s fitting that an overseer be above reproach, be the husband of one wife, sober, sensible, respectable, hospitable, a good teacher, 3 not dependent on alcohol or greedy or a bully, but rather gentle, peace-loving, 4 a good, dignified leader in his own home and in disciplining his children. 5 (If someone doesn’t know how to lead his own household, how could he take care of God’s assembly?) 6 He mustn’t be a new believer, because that might lead him to becoming proud, and from there to fall into the devil’s judgement. 7 It’s also fitting for him to have a good reputation with those outside the assembly, so that he doesn’t end up getting mocked, and from there falling into the devil’s trap.[ref]

8 Similarly helpers in the assembly should also be dignified, should only speak the truth, shouldn’t be greedy or addicted to wine, 9 and should cling to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 Once they’ve proven themselves to be without any misconduct, then let them be working in the assembly. 11 Their wives, too, should be dignified, should only speak the truth, and should be sober and faithful in everything they do. 12 These helpers in the assembly should be husbands of one wife, and should lead their children and their households well. 13 Those helpers who serve well will earn a good reputation for themselves and increase in confidence in their faith in Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) the messiah.

5 The reason that I asked you to stay behind in Kraitai (Crete) was so that you would find what needed to be reorganised and so that you would appoint elders in every city just as I had directed you. 6 Each elder must have a clean record, be the husband of one wife, and have believing children who are not wild or disobedient. 7 Any overseer in the assembly as a manager working for God must have a clean record, not be self-centred, not be quick to get angry, not addicted to wine, not a bully, and not greedy, 8 but rather hospitable, someone who loves what is good, sensible, honest, loves God, and self-controlled. 9 He must hold faithfully to the message that was taught, so that he will be effective in encouraging others with sound teaching and to be rebuking those who speak against the message.[ref]

17 So while we were at Milaitos, he sent a message to Efesos for the elders of the assembly to come to him. 18 When they arrived, he told them, “You all know that from the very first day that I set foot in Asia Minor and for the entire time that I was there 19 I humbly served the master even through tears and trials when the Yehudim (Jews) plotted to destroy me. 20 But I didn’t shrink back from teaching you everything that would help you, whether I was teaching in public or in individual homes. 21 I explained to both Yehudim and Hellains (Greeks) how they needed to turn their backs on their sins and towards God with faith in our master Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) the messiah.

22 However the spirit is now forcing me towards Yerushalem (Jerusalem) even though I don’t know what will happen to me there. 23 I just know that recently in every city, the holy spirit tells me that chains and hardships are waiting for me. 24 But I’ve never regarded my own life as being valuable—I only want to reach the end of my life having served in the way that the master Yeshua instructed me to speak out the good message about God’s grace.

25 So you see, I know that all of you from here where I passed through proclaiming God’s kingdom, you will never see me again. 26 That’s why I’m declaring to all of you today that I’m not guilty of your judgement 27 because I didn’t avoid telling you anything that I had from God. 28 So now you elders look after your own lives and those of your flock because the holy spirit chose you as overseers to shepherd the assembly of God’s people who he paid for with his very own blood. 29 I’m aware that after I leave, vicious wolves will come in amongst you and trying to steal the flock. 30 Even some of you will rise up and teach a message that’s warped but which will draw some of the believers away to follow it, 31 so take great care. Remember that for three years, I never stopped warning each of you along with my tears 32 so now I’m leaving you all in God’s hands and with the message of his grace which is quite capable of helping you grow to receive the inheritance that’s for all those who’ve been purified.

33 I never envied anyone’s gold or silver or fancy clothes 34 and you yourselves know that I laboured with my own hands to cover my expenses and for those with me. 35 Yes, I showed you all that it’s good to work and to take care of the weaker ones and to remember the message of the master Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) when he said that it’s better to be a giver than a taker.”