shepherd

Ezekiel 34: 11-16, 20-24

Ephesians 1:15-23

Mt 25:31-46

God declares that He will search out His sheep--they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. It is an image which resonates with the passing of Autumn into winter. The liturgical seasons connect the cycle of life in nature to a deeper theology: Christmas in the days after the darkness begins to recede, Easter in Spring and Pentecost in Summer.  

Ezekiel, a young priest, saw the cycle of life first hand. He heard Jeremiah preach, saw the destruction of Jerusalem and its holy Temple. His life's purpose and work is no more. He lives in exile, the recipient of divine messages and visions, a mouthpiece for God.

Ezekiel is one of the literary giants of the Jewish Scriptures, yet his writings are sadly neglected by most of us. His words are both judgement and consolation; something we see in chapter 34.

The Lord Jesus' parable of the lost sheep and declaration that He is the Good Shepherd in John come directly from this chapter. It is a basic primer on God's salvation and Jesus' identity.

Shepherd symbolism is very straight forward. The leaders of Israel are condemned for using their positions for personal benefits. In every age, it is the powerful who are most easily conquered by the sinful passions which afflict us all. The shepherds take advantage of the weak sheep because they can, and as a result the flock is dispersed throughout the land. This refers to the literal exile, but also peroneal chaos which happens whenever people follow their own hearts without benefit of guidance. The sheep are lost.

But the sheep are also under God's judgment, because they mistreat each other. In the economic battle of survival, the fittest trample the weak. God declares a pending reversal of fortune.

But if this judgment is also a reason for hope. The Lord Himself will be the shepherd, with a descendant of David sharing the task. We believe Jesus is that human divine shepherd who fulfills this promise. Hear what God will do:

I will seek them

I  will take them out of exile

I will bring them home

I will feed them

I will graze them

I will look for the lost

I will bandage their wounds

I will sustain the weak.

I will rescue (yasha-save, deliver, vindicate) them

So fear not little flock. You God is come to save.