A shepherd’s legacy: My tribute to Pastor John MacArthur

Yesterday, I received the news that Pastor John MacArthur had gone to be with the Lord. Though I didn’t know him personally in my youth, his teachings influenced me deeply, and years later, I was privileged to know him as a teacher and mentor. His life, theology, and unwavering faithfulness to God’s Word left a profound impact – not only on me, but on generations of pastors and Bible teachers across the world.

Hearing the name long before meeting the man

My first awareness of Pastor MacArthur began in my teenage years in Israel. My father, a Holocaust survivor, had once visited a church in Los Angeles, where he shared his testimony. It was during that visit that I first heard about this prominent congregation – and about the pastor whose name was spoken with reverence: John MacArthur.

I remember coming home from school one day to find a guest sitting with my parents in the living room. I didn’t know who he was at the time, but years later I realized that the guest had been Pastor MacArthur. That early brush with his presence made an impression – even if I didn’t fully grasp it yet.

Finding solid ground through his teaching

As I grew in my faith and eventually became a pastor, I did so without the benefit of formal theological education in my early years. I was dependent on the insights of others and the resources available to me. By God’s grace, I was gifted The MacArthur New Testament Commentary and the MacArthur Study Bible – two tools that became foundational to my spiritual development.

Through his writing, I was introduced to the discipline of expository preaching – the kind that seeks to uncover not just what the biblical text says, but why God gave it, what He intended for its original audience, and what it means for us today. It was not shallow or trendy; it was deep, faithful, and rooted in Scripture.

His commentary became a lamp to my feet. In a world flooded with interpretation, John MacArthur’s teaching stood out for its consistency, clarity, and its relentless commitment to the text. Many great teachers excel in one area or book but fall short elsewhere. John took on the entire New Testament and treated each verse with reverence and care. He wielded the Word like a sword – sharp, precise, and trustworthy.

From distant admiration to personal encounter

Years later, I had the honor of pursuing a Doctorate in Christian Ministry at The Master’s Seminary in Los Angeles – an institution founded by Pastor MacArthur. There, I had the extraordinary privilege of sitting in his classroom, learning directly from the man whose commentaries had once guided me from afar.

He was everything you wouldn’t expect from someone with such a global platform. Despite the size of his ministry and the demands on his time, he remained humble, personable, and interested in those around him. I approached him once and shared that my children looked up to him. Without hesitation, he wrote them a personal note. It was simple, but deeply meaningful.

On another occasion, during one of his lectures, I received a WhatsApp message from a couple in Finland – former members of our Jerusalem congregation – excitedly showing me a photo of his new book. I smiled, walked over to John after class, and said, “John, I need a selfie.” He laughed and obliged. It was one of those humorous, memorable moments that quietly revealed his humility and warmth.

A life lived above reproach

In an era where too many leaders have stumbled, John MacArthur stood firm. He ran his race with integrity. He remained faithful to the truth, to his calling, and to his Savior until the very end. He was not only a gifted expositor but a servant who finished well.

If someone were to ask me which figure in our time most resembles the Apostle Paul in doctrine and integrity, I would not hesitate to say: John MacArthur. He shaped countless lives – not by drawing attention to himself, but by drawing people to the Word of God.

Gratitude from Jerusalem

As pastor of a congregation in Jerusalem, I often reflect on just how much of our community’s theological clarity and biblical literacy is rooted in the influence of Pastor MacArthur’s teaching. I don’t know if my congregation fully realizes how deeply his fingerprints are woven into our ministry. But I do. And for that, I thank God.

I thank Him for the gift of John MacArthur – for his faithfulness, his steadfastness, and his example. Others will thank him too in the years to come. His legacy will live on through those he trained, equipped, and inspired.

And I am honored to be one of them.