Farewell... and Fare Well

In Acts 20:17-38 we read of Paul giving a "farewell speech" to the Ephesian elders. By example, exhortation and warning, Paul imparts his God-given wisdom to these men so that they and the flock they serve might "fare well" in the days to come. It is no light matter to care for God's precious sheep. But neither the sheep nor the shepherds are able to do this on their own. Instead they (we!) are commended to God, our True Shepherd, and to the word of his grace - the green pasture we all need to feed upon and which is able to build us up in faith, hope and love.