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Lenten Devotional Reading

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March 31, 2017

All Day

Category: Adult Education

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-8

Our Great Shepherd

Our reading begins with a message of woe. Israel lies in ruin, captivity is imminent, and still the kings, elders and priests have abandoned their role as shepherds of God’s people. They did not seek the lost, heal the broken, or care for those who were going astray – instead they scattered the flock, sold them for money and devoured their flesh! This is not, God says, how it is supposed to be, and his message through Jeremiah is that he himself will come down to get the job done.

The story of God as our shepherd is woven throughout Scripture. For Yahweh is God, he made us, and we are his – his people, the sheep of his pasture. (Psalm 100) He protects his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them in the fold of his garment. He gently leads those that are nursing. (Isaiah 40) He is the Good Shepherd (John 10), the Great Shepherd (Hebrew 13:20) and the Chief Shepherd. (1 Peter 5:4)

As our Chief Shepherd, he appoints human shepherds over us for our own good, to look after us and tenderly care for our souls, or as David put it, “to lead us in the paths of righteousness.” And there are many shepherding roles: judges, kings, elders, pastors, husbands, fathers and mothers. When we trust and submit ourselves to those God has appointed over us, we do so placing our faith in the One who appointed them.

This passage describes Israel looking forward to when the Messiah returns to sit on his throne, when he will personally shepherd Israel and fulfill his ancient promise to them. Compared to this, it says, their prior national deliverance from slavery will seem a small thing to them. While we also look forward to this day, we can rejoice even more that Christ rules as head of the church today, and that our Good Shepherd knows each of us, and we, him.

Prayer: Father God, let us not be led astray, but guide us on the path of righteousness for your name’s sake. Wherever you have appointed us as shepherds, let us be faithful in serving you. Amen.

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