The Good Shepherd and The Search for His Sheep: Are You A Part of The Flock?

Introduction

Currently, I am reading a book on the art of manipulation and deception. This book is so discouraging in that it truthfully demonstrates the darkness of the world and the way in which one can use darkness to fulfill their own desires. Unfortunately, the artistry of darkness is so common among successful individuals, that it is admirable and desirable by many, even upon the awareness of its immoral essence. The premise of the author in this book is that a dark world requires dark strategies, else we fall into an idealistic mode of thinking that separates us from realism—making any element of success impossible. The book argues that if one wants to succeed in a dark world, they too must be dark.

The book argues that the ultimate goal of any individual should be to acquire and maintain power and a sense of control over one’s own life. However, what the reader will discovers is that if he or she is to have the sort of control over their life that this book prescribes, they inevitably warrant control over others in a way that is dangerous and destructive to that person’s well-being. So, control over self means the ability to control others in a negative way that is harmful to them than it is to the one who maintains control.

This book alarmed me for two reasons. First, the author is right. We are not living in an idealistic world where there is no darkness. However, the second reason this book bothers me is that many believers, including Christian leaders, have accepted this premise, concluding that darkness cannot be overcome. Likewise, they have delighted in such darkness and called their lives a success. Yet, John the apostle wrote in John 1:5-9 “5 That light [Jesus] shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

I want to remind you today, brothers and sisters, we are in a dark world, but we have a light that’s bright enough to overcome the darkness of this world. I only brought up this book, because some of the tactics and strategies it mentions are found among so-called faith leaders. Yet, we can hardly recognize it, because as I stated earlier, these things are done with such artistry. It’s done with what Gregory the Great calls the masquerade of vices as virtues. He wrote,

300 Quotations for Preachers from the Early Church (Vices Often Masquerade as Virtues)

Often stinginess excuses itself under the name of frugality, and on the other hand extravagance hides itself under the name of generosity. Often inordinate laxity is believed to be loving-kindness, and unbridled wrath is accounted the virtue of spiritual zeal. Often hasty action is taken for the efficacy of promptness, and tardiness for the deliberation of seriousness. From this it is necessary for the ruler of souls to distinguish with vigilant care between virtues and vices.

I have learned that the false shepherds cannot be disguised to those who have spiritual discernment. And the best way to sharpen your discernment is by increasing your understanding of the Word of God. The Bible teaches us to test every spirit and hold others accountable in the spirit of love. John spoke of this in 1 John 4:1 “1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Paul wrote of this in Colossians 2:8 “8 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ.”

One must be careful that they not fall into the trap that Israel fell into. This is what I call the trap of pretending. The trap of pretending is one that causes people to think they are avoiding the devices of Satan. People may say they are followers of Christ. However, many are pretenders. They have no intention of truly knowing God, but only give the impression that they are trying to know God and do His will. Ezekiel spoke of this in Ezekiel 33:30-33

Ezekiel 33:30–33 CSB

30 “As for you, son of man, your people are talking about you near the city walls and in the doorways of their houses. One person speaks to another, each saying to his brother, ‘Come and hear what the message is that comes from the Lord!’ 31 So my people come to you in crowds, sit in front of you, and hear your words, but they don’t obey them. Their mouths go on passionately, but their hearts pursue dishonest profit. 32 Yes, to them you are like a singer of passionate songs who has a beautiful voice and plays skillfully on an instrument. They hear your words, but they don’t obey them. 33 Yet when all this comes true—and it definitely will—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

The only thing that will protect us in the days ahead is our commitment to follow the Shepherd, Jesus Christ above all else. There must be a solemn return back to Jesus as to say, He is all we want and nothing else.

Exposition: Ezekiel 33-34

Ezekiel was the prophet God used to speak to Israel during the Babylonian captivity. He was the voice used to advise on all that is happening and what would happen. He, too, was exiled with those he ministered to. These were times of great distress and trouble.

During times of great of distress and hardship, a prophet is greatly needed. Yet, during these times, the prophet is hardly received or accepted. Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr. once stated prophetic preaching and popularity can hardly coincide together. He stated, in fact, they are almost antithetical to one another. Jesus said in Matthew 23:37 “37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” Yet, knowing this evil intention, God still sends His prophets.

In Ezekiel 33:10-20, God appoints Ezekiel as Israel’s watchman (see Ezekiel 33:1-19 for the role of the watchman). The watchman is God’s way of warning the people before a great tragedy. Every generation needs to find its watchmen. We need to be aware of the people God uses to warn us of the things that are coming our way. For, we all have blind spots, problem areas, and things we need to understand from an external perspective.

The ministry that counters that of the watchman is that of the false prophets (Ezekiel 34:1-10), which do the following:

Feed themselves instead of the people of God

Neglect the weak

Neglect the sick and bound

Neglect those who have wandered off

Rule with harshness and cruelty

According to Ezekiel 34:5, the behavior of Israel’s shepherds has led to the scattering of the sheep. When the sheep are unable to abide together, in one place, it is almost always a result of bad shepherding that leads without the well-being of the people in mind. This is what Jesus was getting at in Matthew 9:36-37 “36 When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few.”

Because of the irresponsibility of the shepherds, Ezekiel prophesied the doom of those shepherds in Ezekiel 34:7-10.

Ezekiel 34:7–10 CSB

7 “ ‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. 8 As I live—this is the declaration of the Lord God—because my flock, lacking a shepherd, has become prey and food for every wild animal, and because my shepherds do not search for my flock, and because the shepherds feed themselves rather than my flock, 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord! 10 “ ‘This is what the Lord God says: Look, I am against the shepherds. I will demand my flock from them and prevent them from shepherding the flock. The shepherds will no longer feed themselves, for I will rescue my flock from their mouths so that they will not be food for them.

However, this does not solve the ultimate problem. The ultimate problem is that the nation of Israel is without shepherds. How does God fix this? He becomes the good Shepherd and sets over them a shepherd (Ezekiel 34:11-24). As a result of God being the good Shepherd over Israel, there are “I will” promises:

I will be look for and find my sheep

I will bring them back to their home

I will give them a good land

I will give them peace

I will bandage the weak

I will destroy their enemies

I will feed them

I will bring justice

I will rescue my flock from abuse

I will be Israel’s God

I will set over them a shepherd

He will feed them and shepherd them

Jesus, The Good Shepherd

Brothers and sisters, the list we just considered is one that only God can fill. It is impossible for any many to fit this role. Therefore, Jesus, came to us as the good Shepherd Ezekiel prophesied about (John 10:11-18). He has laid down His life so we might know His voice and come to Him! Jesus states: 1) I am the gate, 2) I am the good shephered.

Now, if Jesus is the good Shepherd Ezekiel spoke of, He must fulfill the role and responsibility of being our watchman. Furthermore, He stands as the protector of the sheep who are susceptible to “hirelings.” Therefore, He has given warnings that should be felt even until this day, because He is still our good Shepherd. This warrants one question: Who are you following? Who’s your Shepherd?

Anyone that is not leading us to Christ is leading us away from Christ. This is why Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:1 “1 Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.”

Brothers and sisters, it’s time to get back to Jesus! He is our good Shepherd.