David Bahn – Reflections

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Today’s readings: Ezekiel 34-36, Psalm 89.

Ezekiel 34:1-11

The word of the LORD came to me: ² “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? ³ You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. ⁴ The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. ⁵ So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered; ⁶ they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them.

⁷ “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: ⁸ As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, ⁹ therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: ¹⁰ Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.

¹¹ “For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 

This post almost writes itself. God expresses his displeasure not with Israel in these verses, but with the shepherds who were entrusted with the care of God’s people. The shepherds of whom Ezekiel speaks are the leaders of Israel and Judah. They had taken care of themselves while ignoring the needs and troubles of the people, and the people were scattered.

David was the great shepherd king for Israel. He was a man after God’s heart—even though he had great flaws and his later years were marked by significant troubles. Nevertheless, he was thought of highly and served as an example for God’s people during those times.

Today we have a much better example in Jesus of Nazareth, the Good Shepherd. He is God who has come to search for his sheep. He speaks at some length of his commitment to the sheep and describes hired hands as having no care for the sheep. Above all, he lays down his life for the sheep. We know he wasn’t speaking merely figuratively; he did lay down his life on the cross for our sake and salvation. His sheep follow him. He gives eternal life to them. The thief, he says, comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He came to give life in abundance—life that overflows into the lives of others. He gathers his sheep for that purpose.

When we were teaching pastors and spouses in Tanzania and Kenya, we learned about the Big Man mentality. Those who saw themselves as leaders sometimes made themselves larger than life. They exercised great power and privilege over others. This was true even of some pastors who thought of themselves as specially privileged because of their calling. We sought to point them to the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep, and the example of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet.

Serving as a pastor (the word means shepherd) is a noble task (1 Timothy 3:1). It is not a position of privilege; it is a privilege to serve. Feeding God’s people with the grace and truth of Scripture (Law and Gospel), leading them toward good pastures of godly fellowship and prayer, seeking the lost, and nurturing God’s people in faith: these are the privileges and responsibilities of those of us who serve as pastors. We must never use our position to take advantage of others lest we hear the sobering warning of God as he spoke to the leaders of Ezekiel’s day.

PS: The Church is in desperate need of pastors. Jesus tells us to pray fervently that the Lord of the harvest will send laborers into his harvest. So we pray:

Lord God of the harvest, we beseech you to send laborers into your harvest. Raise up men who will serve as pastors, women and men who will serve as church workers, and faithful leaders for your Church. Sustain those you have sent. Help us to honor them even as they serve in faithful humility. Send your Holy Spirit among us so that we joyfully follow the lead of those who serve you faithfully in that calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Follow the Word is a daily Bible reading and devotional ministry of St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.