Last week, we talked about the task of the pastor – both in teaching sound doctrine, and in discipline – rebuking those who contradict sound doctrine.
I mentioned last week the distinction between the wolf and the big, ugly sheep. The wolf is the false teacher who must be silenced (or else he will devour the flock). The big, ugly sheep is the Christian who is causing trouble – but is still one of Christ’s sheep.
When the shepherds fail – when false teachers creep in and scatter the flock – then the flock ends up without discipline, beating up on each other.
Think about what happens in a home where the parents are not shepherding their children. The children wind up butting into each other. This is true in any community. When those in authority misuse their authority for their own selfish gain, the result is that the community turns chaotic. When the shepherds are primarily focused on feeding themselves, the sheep will mistreat one another.
Notice what God says to Ezekiel: “I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the LORD. I have spoken.” (34:23-24)
Jesus is the good shepherd. Jesus takes into his own mouth – in John chapter 10 – the language of Ezekiel 34. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” The good shepherd searches for the strays and brings them home. The good shepherd binds up the weak and the frail. The good shepherd leads his sheep in green pastures – beside still waters.
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