Keeping Watch

 DEVOTION

TO HEBREWS

KEEPING WATCH

Heb 13:17

17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

NIV

First, we must decide who our leaders are. Is the author, under the influence of the Spirit, referring to governmental or spiritual leaders.  When we consider governmental leadership, it does not appear they keep watch over us and it seems they have no concern about being accountable for us, or they need to give an account to anyone. Therefore, the author is speaking about those in spiritual leadership positions within the body of Christ. This would be the pastors, who are directly accountable to God for the calling He has placed upon them. The task of the spiritual well-being of those God has placed under the leadership of the pastor can be a heavy burden, however, some believers make that task of the pastor a great joy, and not a burden. When we see this happening, we know there are loving caring people throughout,  or rather within the body of Christ. When the congregation contributes to the joy of the pastor, it is to their advantage. Loving their pastor only makes the pastors work among them more joyful for the calling. First, we know it is a joy, along with a great deal of fear and trembling to be called to pastor a church. To have God believe in someone to call them to that place in the body is awesome alone. But that calling brings much responsibility that cannot be handled alone, and that is why God gives strength and encouragement from the people, and of course, first and foremost, power from the Spirit. Yet, it is daunting to be accountable to God for the spiritual welfare of those within the local church the pastor has been called. However, again, because of the people and their love for each other and their response to the leadership of the pastor, it is also a joy to lead. Pastors need to always be in prayer keeping God before them, so their leadership and authority are from God, and not from their humanity. So with fear and trembling combined with joy, the pastor can be effective within the body of Christ, keeping watch.