There are times I wonder what is happening in our world…
If my mother were alive, she’d be saying her oft overheard, “The world is going to hell in a hand-basket.”
Not sure the meaning behind that sentiment, but it always sounded ominous…
…and, ominous, isn’t a bad description for our world these days.
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I’ve repeated the following conversation in similar formats with many over the last few months:
The other: I just don’t understand what is happening! Our world is so divided…and, not just politically, but theologically…
Me: I know! Seems it used to be that while different denominations arose because of worship style preferences, mixed with a little different interpretation of a few random Scriptures, for the most part we all KNEW that we agreed on the heart of the same Creed (i.e. see 1 Corinthians 15:1-3).
The other: But, today, theology has gotten so mixed in with politics, we can’t find common ground on which to stand in order to find unity.
Me: I’ve never felt so lost and confused regarding God’s Church. Many seem to be wandering away from the basic foundations of our faith…
What we need is a revival of truth…
What we need is not “my” rendition of truth…but, THE TRUTH from the One and Only Source of TRUTH: Jesus…THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE!
We need this anthem to rise out of our hearts, once more:
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Yet, should we be surprised that we are having these kinds of conversations?
Probably not.
As the Lord spoke through Isaiah:
“All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have wandered off God’s paths to follow our own (NLT).”
So, in the middle of Jesus’ “to do list” is this line item:
✅ Good Shepherd.
There have always been plenty of examples of bad shepherds overseeing God’s flock (Ezekiel 34).
- Shepherds who allowed the sheep to get scattered…
- Shepherds who failed to protect, and let the wild animals inside the fold and to feed on the sheep, while doing nothing…
- Shepherds who cared more for themselves than their flock…
- Shepherds who neglected the grazing pastures…and, allowed the sheep to become weak and sickly…
The Lord spoke condemnation over these shepherds, declaring that He, Himself, would become the Shepherd (Ezekiel 34 and Psalm 23).
He would search for His sheep when they went astray….tirelessly!
He would care for them…compassionately!
He would tend them, bring healing to their wounds, and strengthen them, back to full health.
He assures His flock that He will lead them to good pasture and still waters…and give them rest for their souls.
Lest we think otherwise, He will discipline with His rod and staff…in JUSTICE!
Then (in the fulness of time), the Father sends His Son to do the same…
And, in the middle of ministry, Jesus offers up to His followers a parable.
