About 15 years ago I sat in a church office late into the night. It was Wednesday and everyone else had already gone home. At that time I was living in Jacksonville, FL serving as a youth pastor for middle school and high school students. A highlight each week was gathering with the teens and studying God’s word together. At the time I lived alone in an apartment not far from the church. There was no rush to get “home” so I stayed at the church and spent some time reading. As I read the Lord led me to the gospel of John and the 10thchapter, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.”
Jesus’ teaching was totally misunderstood by those that heard him teach. He was accused of being mad, and others said he had a demon. Even the voice of reason by some in the crowd could only ponder at his words, in light of his great deeds. “Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” they questioned.
It’s only the sheep that belong to the good shepherd, that hear His voice and come to Him. In that way, the good Shepherd can lead them out and provide good things for those sheep that are His. Protection, and adequate provision, sacrificial love, and deep knowing intimacy is the right of every sheep that comes to the Good Shepherd.
Yet is was not those things that struck me most 15 years ago as I sat alone with my thoughts, pondering Jesus’ teaching. The revelation of Jesus’ plan in John 10:16 (NASB95)
16 “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.
I took this to be first a personal statement of Jesus to me that He knew that I (along with others) was among those “other sheep” in need of his care and loving protection. But my thoughts did not stop with personal worship and thanksgiving they expanded to include me in another way. It seemed that Jesus was still calling “other sheep” not only to receive His protection and salvation but also to be, in a sense a shepherd with Him. That through us He makes His call heard to the “other” peoples and languages all over the world.
Jesus as a shepherd was motivated by love for His father, who commanded Him to lay down his life, as well as His love for His sheep. No personal gain was worth the sacrifice required to call and to save the sheep. But the command of the Father and love for the sheep kept Jesus from running when the wolves came near.
It was after reading John 10 that Wed night, that I began to make steps in the direction that I have been on these past 15 years. What brought these things to mind? Well just this last week I drafted John 10 into the tribal language. With different eyes I considered the thought of the Kendawangan hearing Jesus’ passion both for his Father and his love for those sheep that respond to his voice. The hope of having a Shepherd that would protect and provide, go before, and lead them into freedom.
We like Jesus know that many will scoff and not believe the gracious love of the shepherd. But for those who will, it’s all worth it!
Drafting the scriptures is simply the first step in making the Scriptures ready to be used. After the draft comes another re-reading and them I’m ready to have a helper listen to the drafted material. My helper (Asa’) listens to me read a section of the drafted scripture and after some talking and clarification he will retell the section in his own words. Then (at a different time) I transcribe the material and start re-working what was recorded. If there were things unnecessarily added those must be re-worked so they are reflected in the scripture. If there are things that were left out they must be added. After reworking the material I go over it again with a helper (Luci) and we make further changes to help with clarity. After that I re-read the material comparing it to other translations. If I feel that the material is ready I will begin reading it to others and asking comprehension questions. These questions help reveal what people are understanding when they hear the scripture.
There are other steps involved such as grammar and spelling checks, transliterating the material to English for consultants to review and check. Eventually our partners will be reading over that material and checking the content as well.
All this, we believe is implicit in the command of the Father and the love of the Shepherd for his sheep. That when he calls, his sheep will come to him. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:8–11 (NASB95)
8 For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
9 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning.
11 If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me.
Jesus is no barbarian and his message, the gospel which is called the “good news” must not come across like a barbarian speaks in grunts and unintelligible words. Only then will it shine like a light in a dark place as it is intended to shine. Only then will it give flavor in the mouth, like salt to those who hear it. Only then will it reflect clearly the sinful nature of all who hear. Only then will it offend as it is intended to offend. And only then, when heart and mind are illuminated will the gospel be the good news!
Tim, Andrea, Dina & Abby