Jesus: Bishop of our souls

We sang it this morning

Tonight let’s pray in Jesus’ Name.

Let’s pray the Name of Jesus over our needs.

But, as the scripture I am about to read tells us, let’s in particular pray the Name of Jesus over our lives.

For our provision — especially spiritual provision.

And then one that is uncomforatble:

For God’s inspection of our lives — that we would be conformed to the image of Jesus.

Romans 8:29 (NASB95) For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

Philippians 3:20–21 (NASB95) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

1 Peter 2:24–25 (AV) Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Most translations do not use the word “Bishop:”

They use the word Guardian, Overseer, Protector, CJB “who watches over you”

Just a few thoughts as we look particularly at who Jesus is as the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls:

As vs. 25 says:

KJV: ye were as sheep going astray

NLT: you were like sheep who wandered away.

NASB: For you were continually straying like sheep

We were in bad shape, worse depending on the translation you read

BUT

... by whose stripes you were healed.

Fire Bible: Peter uses the word “healed” in relation to salvation with all its benefits because Christ’s sacrifice was complete, providing relief and restoration spiritually, physically, emotionally and in every way that we need

Jesus paid the price of our healing as the NASB says: 1 Peter 2:24 (NASB95) … so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness…

The way that happened is:

[we] have returned [turned] to the Shepherd and Guardian of [our] souls.

When we did that He acted not only as Shepherd (we have looked at Jesus as the Chief Shepherd - pastors, teachers are undershepherds)

But He is the Bishop, (I like the term Overseer) of our souls

The Greek word there is episkopis.

Compound word:

epi: upon, over

skopos: one who watches

The word episkopis occurs frequently in the New Testament and is translated by the English term ‘bishop’.

The name Episcopalian comes from the Greek word episkopis. Notice, it is the same word ‘scope’ with a prefix added to it. The reason why Episcopalians are so called is because the Episcopal church is a denomination which is organised and run by bishops.

RC Sproul says: … the root of episkopis, skopis, refers to something that we ‘look through’ or ‘look at’.

The prefix epi, only adds emphasis to the word, and causes it to mean an ‘intense scope’.

So, in its simplest meaning, episkopis describes somebody who looks at something intently and closely.

In the Greek world, the title episkopis was given not to clergy, but to military leaders.

It was the term used for the officer from headquarters who would visit the outpost or the training camp to review the troops.

The episkopis would look carefully through the ranks before giving an evaluation of the combat-readiness of the army.

His evaluation would include praise if there was perceived precision among the troops, but also judgment or criticism if he detected weaknesses, sluggishness or sloppiness among them.

From that military environment, the New Testament church took over the term episkopis and used it to define someone whose responsibility was to look over the people of God.

He was to undertake a careful review, to see how they were doing, to examine the state of their souls.

He was an overseer, because his task was to watch over the people of God.

So, as we go to the Lord in prayer let us ask the One who judges our combat readiness to look us over.

Praise - great

Sloppiness - God please help me

I know as I do so I can already hear the Lord correcting me for my stinky attitude in this morning’s service

Let’s pray!