The Bad Shepherd and the Good

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 8:18 am Post subject: The Bad Shepherd and the Good

The Bad Shepherd and the Good

Scripture:

Woe to the pastors, that destroy and tear the sheep of my pasture, says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord the God of Israel to the pastors that feed my people: You have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold I will visit upon you for the evil of your doings, says the Lord. And I will gather together the remnant of my flock, out of all the lands into which I have cast them out: and I will make them return to their own fields, and they shall increase and be multiplied. And I will set up pastors over them, and they shall feed them: they shall fear no more, and they shall not be dismayed: and none shall be wanting of their number, says the Lord. Behold the days come, says the Lord, and I will raise up to David a just branch: and a king shall reign, and shall be wise: and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In those days shall Juda be saved, and Israel shall dwell confidently: and this is the name that they shall call him: The Lord our just one. (Jeremiah 23:1-6)

But now in Christ Jesus, you, who some time were afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who has made both one, and breaking down the middle wall of partition, the enmities in his flesh: Making void the law of commandments contained in decrees: that he might make the two in himself into one new man, making peace and might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, killing the enmities in himself. And coming, he preached peace to you that were afar off: and peace to them that were nigh. For by him we have access both in one Spirit to the Father. ( Ephesians 2:13-18 )

And the apostles coming together unto Jesus, related to him all things that they had done and taught. And he said to them: Come apart into a desert place, and rest a little. For there were many coming and going: and they had not so much as time to eat. And going up into a ship, they went into a desert place apart. And they saw them going away, and many knew: and they ran flocking thither foot from all the cities, and were there before them. And Jesus going out saw a great multitude: and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things. (Mark 6:30-34)

Reflection:

The corrupt shepherds who lead the people to paths away from the Lord do not know what they do. They believe there is some benefit to their action, but they will find a day where what they gain through their deceptions will be taken from them and they will be held to account. What they believe to be their profit will become their doom. The miseries they bring upon the people will not be forgotten by the Lord.

The Lord will bless the faithful and He will guide them through the trials of the world. He will not let them perish, but will bring them close to Him. In the days of evil, the remnant few will be brought together. Where evil will fan the fuel of strife, the selflessness of the faithful will reveal blessed paths. When the people care for one another and seek the path of God, love will surround them and the blessings of the Lord will fill their hearts.

Because of the wickedness of the world, many hearts have wandered from their Creator. So that the people might be reconciled, He came to walk among them to become the Shepherd who would conquer death and lead His sheep to everlasting life. Where false shepherds bring destruction to the soul, He brings healing, peace and eternal life.

Those who know Him, throng to Him for they are drawn to His wisdom and love. They know that through His blessings, their afflictions may be healed; afflictions of the body for a time, but more importantly, eternally for the afflictions of the soul. As the children of His creation have been misled, He has come to guide them to the truth.

The strife of the world begins in the souls of those who do not know the grace of God. When the heart of the shepherd is blind to the ways of the Lord, the sheep will suffer. Hearts filled with selfishness and greed cannot lead a people to the blessings of God.

The shepherd who guides the flock by the Word does not divide them and leave them to the mercy of the wolf. The sheep who receive the care of the good shepherd will know the blessings of love; they will not fear the wolf and will be led to green pastors.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier