I’m not a farmer, but I know that the role of the shepherd is to care for the sheep. This involves making sure they have enough food and water, leading them to places that are safe for them to graze. It will involve rescuing those who have gone astray, and treating those who are sick. In Ezekiel 34, God uses this picture to show the failure of those who were meant to be leading God’s people.
Instead of feeding the sheep, the shepherds of Israel were using the sheep for their own benefit (v3). It’s a shocking picture and a warning to all pastors today. Will you be someone who takes time to feed God’s people God’s Word? Will you care for those entrusted to your care by leading them to good food, not just telling them what they want to hear, but what is good for them. Will you help those who have wandered away, those trapped in a cycle of sin to get out of it, or will you just let them continue in it because it is easier for you?
Every pastor falls short, but wonderfully in Ezekiel 34 God himself promises to come down and care for the sheep. What a wonderful picture of the devoted care of the Lord Jesus. Look at how He is described in v12-16, “I will rescue them…I will gather them….I will feed them…I myself will be the shepherd…I will make them lie down…I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.”
In our reading from John 12 we see an incredible contrast between Jesus and the false shepherds of Israel. In John 11 Jesus sought out a sick, dying, even dead sheep (Lazarus), and given him life. Now in John 12 the chief priests are seeking to kill Lazarus because he is a living proof of the power of Jesus! He doesn’t fit with their agenda and they want rid of him. Here is an example of Jesus’ teaching from John 10 where Jesus taught “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Jesus is the life giving Son of God, and the chief priests are doing the work of Satan in seeking to kill and destroy. Jesus gives life, the false shepherds take it.
In order for Jesus to give life, He will have to do the very opposite of the false shepherds, they devoured the sheep, but Jesus will give himself to be devoured so that His sheep can have life. In John 12 we see something of what it cost him, in v27 we see His anguish at what he faces, his soul is troubled. What torture He faced in His soul for our sake. But the result of his suffering is just what God promised through Ezekiel – God can give us new hearts and put His Spirit within us (Ezek 36:26).
Praise God for His Son the Lord Jesus, who lay down His life for His sheep. May we know His leading in our lives today.
Light and Momentary Troubles 
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