A Preacher's Devotion

Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed by Philip Hallie is the account of Pastor André Trocmé and his efforts in leading the village of Le Chambon, France, in providing refuge for Jews seeking to escape deportation to the Nazi concentration camps. In Hallie’s book, Pastor Trocmé acts from conscience, courageously resisting both his own government and the German occupiers to save many lives. Early in his resistance, Trocmé is questioned by the police chief, who says, “Pastor, we know in detail the suspect activities to which you are devoted.” Trocmé ignores the threat and simply responds, “I am their pastor, their shepherd. It is not the role of a shepherd to betray the sheep confided to his keeping.” Trocmé rightly identifies the object of his devotion as the people for which God has made him responsible. Pastor Trocmé is an example to any who would take up the mantle of leadership and seek to be a voice of moral clarity in difficult times, and the word “devotion” is a fitting description of what should motivate our service to God and to others.

Devotion is defined as “profound dedication, consecration, and an earnest attachment to a person or cause.” It was with this word “devotion” that the Apostle Paul challenged his young protégé Timothy in 1^st Timothy 4:12-16: “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (emphasis mine). Paul uses the word “devote” as a description of how the young preacher should live out his public ministry.

Unfortunately, too many have traded what should be their devotion for simple distraction. The distractions of our lives, both good and bad, have robbed us of the devotion that should belong to Christ and the mission He has given to all of us. Paul makes it clear to Timothy that he should devote himself to “…reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.” And should not “…neglect the gift you have.” There is a direct connection between what Timothy is told to read and to exhort and teach. It is the Word of God, Holy Scripture. In far too many pulpits, the commands of Scripture have been replaced with the advice of men. 

Devotion for the early church meant that many members would lose their lives for the sake of the gospel of Christ. For the 21^st century church, the gospel has become a mere distraction for which most are unwilling to lose an hour’s sleep. When I think of the passion that motivated Peter, Paul, James, John and Timothy, I am convicted of my own lack of devotion to a cause that I esteem to be holy. As I reflect on the courage and boldness of Pastor Trocmé and his parishioners, I am reminded of how often my passion for the gospel and for others falls woefully short.

The title of Philip Hallie’s book comes from the Old Testament concept of “Cities of Refuge,” places where those who were guilty of manslaughter could escape to safety until their case was heard and a verdict determined. The cities are established “….lest innocent blood be shed” (Deuteronomy 19:7-10). The pastors and parishioners of Le Chambon were so devoted to live out the Scripture they were willing to put themselves and the peace of their village at risk for the sake of others. May the same be said of us, that we are completely devoted to the cause of the gospel of Christ that liberates humanity from the bondage of sin and death.