A nugget in the midst of the mire...
Ezekiel 34:15-16
"I shall feed My sheep and refresh them; and they will know that I am the Lord," thus says the Lord and Master. "I shall seek the lost, bring back the misled, bind up the broken, strengthen the fallen, protect the strong, and feed them with judgment."
Encouraging Words...
This nugget of encouragement is sandwiched in the middle of some difficult and troubling texts. The shepherds (leaders) of Israel are being called out for how much they have misled and taken advantage of their flock, their followers. Ezekiel is prophesying that these leaders will not only be replaced by the ultimate Shepherd, Jesus Christ, but that these bad shepherds will have to pay the price for the lives that they have misled and abused. Couldn't this text, these problems, also apply to today? We have so many people in leadership in our churches and ministries that have abandoned the truths of old, redefined God and His promises and commands to fit their agendas, and created their own empires based on the backs of their flocks...and doing it under the guise of Christianity. We must always remember that of whom much is given, much is expected. We as leaders, teachers, ministry leaders in God's Church will be held accountable for how well we have led, nurtured, and protected His flock. We are stewards, not owners. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!
No comments:
Post a Comment