Bad Shepherds
Do you know what bad shepherds do? They beat their sheep, they neglect the needs of their sheep, they don't even care when the sheep wander off. They are too concerned about themselves to care for their sheep.
Now why do I care about shepherds and sheep? Because God compares spiritual leadership with shepherding sheep. In fact before his final ascension Jesus told Peter three times in various ways "Feed my sheep" in John 21.
As I read Ezekiel 34:1-10 this morning I was reminded of just what kind of leader God wants me to be:
Now why do I care about shepherds and sheep? Because God compares spiritual leadership with shepherding sheep. In fact before his final ascension Jesus told Peter three times in various ways "Feed my sheep" in John 21.
As I read Ezekiel 34:1-10 this morning I was reminded of just what kind of leader God wants me to be:
1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? 3 You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. 4 You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. 6 My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.
7 " 'Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD : 8 As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, 9 therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the LORD : 10 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.
7 " 'Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD : 8 As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, 9 therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the LORD : 10 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.
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God wants leaders who take care of the sheep, and not use the sheep for selfish purposes. He wants leaders who strengthen the weak and have compassion on the sick. He wants leaders who seek out those that wander astray.
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I would ask all of us who are pastors, small group leaders, ministry leaders, and even plain old parents, how are we caring for the sheep entrusted to us? Are we devouring the sheep - using them for our selfish purposes? Or are we caring for and feeding the sheep?
my quiet time: Matt 18:4-6
ReplyDelete" Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.5 And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if if anyone causes one these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drownedin the depths of the sea."
19:14
[Jesus said,"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."]