The need for salvation gives rise to the need for a good shepherd

​Friday May 31, 2024

Theme: “The need for salvation gives rise to the need for a good shepherd”

Text: Jeremiah 23:1-4

1. Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter The flock of my pasture! says the LORD. 2. Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who feed my people: You have scattered my sheep, you have driven them out, you have not cared for them; Behold, I will punish you for the wickedness of your doings, says the LORD. 3. And I will gather the remnant of my sheep from all the countries where I have driven them; I will bring them back to their pasture; They will be fruitful and multiply. 4. I will appoint shepherds over them to feed them; They will have no more fear, no more terror, and none will be lacking, says the LORD.

Let's remember:

Every shepherd has an obligation to treat God’s sheep better. The sheep is a weak creature, it is defenseless. She only relies on the shepherd to find defense against predators. Now, today but also always, it is the shepherds who have become the predators for the flock of God. Shepherds serve themselves within the fold of others of Christ. The sheep try to secure themselves and disperse; going from side to side. The survival instinct leads them to change communities, and therefore change shepherds, in search of a good shepherd. The flock of God is on alert. The shepherds failed in their mission. Instead of shepherding the people “as models of the flock” (1 Pet. 5:2-3), they were bad shepherds. Under their deplorable conduct, the herd was neglected, destroyed and scattered. Thus God will take care of gathering the rest of this flock himself by giving them a good Shepherd (John 10:14). The “royal priesthood” led by masked predators has completely drowned out the sheepfold. But God will raise up in our communities a righteous Branch, a divine King. The Lord Jesus takes matters in hand, he restores order to the sheepfold to quench the thirst for salvation felt by the sheep. Excellent Friday, good start to the weekend and happy end of May. Amen

Alain Louz.-