Tough and Tender: How Pastors Follow the Good Shepherd

Jesus, our chief Shepherd, is remarkably tough and remarkably tender — and often at times and in ways we don’t expect.We see this surprising mixture over and over in the Gospels: he pursues the Samaritan woman (tender) and confronts her promiscuity (tough); he calls the Canaanite woman a “puppy” (tough) and heals her daughter (tender); he names Peter “Rock” (tender) and then calls him Satan (tough); he accepts the prostitute’s tears (tender) and casts a woe on the Pharisees’ tithe (tough). Now,