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1 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. 3 Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord 5 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The Lord is our righteousness." (Jeremiah 23: 1-6 NRSV)
Scattered sheep are sheep who are in danger. The real shepherds know that keeping the sheep in a flock is the best way to protect them. A child lost in a shopping mall or a lone child near a river or a cliff overlooking the ocean, is a child in danger. One can begin to see why the prophet has been told by God to warn those who destroy and scatter sheep. Is God only speaking to the leaders of the people, or is God speaking to all who are responsible for others? Could God be speaking to parents, pastors, Sunday school teachers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and others, who may have abused or mishandled their authority towards the young? We cannot dispute the reality that we have in caring for our young, in a wise and loving manner. Our hearts should direct their hearts towards God and all the ideals and solid principles we find in our scriptures. We, in our own way, are called to be shepherds for the Lord, and this passage outlines what is expected of us; free of fear and dismay, ever faithful and ever serving the Lord and His flock.
Then we see that the prophet was told to announce the coming true king. A Shepherd King who will reign wisely and guided by justice and righteousness; who will provide for the kingdom to live in safety. And His name is "The Lord is our righteousness."
What an honor you and I enjoy in having Jesus as our King. What a tremendous responsibility we have to live as His shepherds over those God has blessed us with. May we never fail God, for God never fails us!
PRAYER: Strengthen us dear Father, for the responsibilities You have entrusted to us. May we never fail You is our prayer. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Live as a shepherd who loves and cares for others.
Blessings of peace and love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
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