I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, 
and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God.
I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, 
and I will bind up the injured, 
and I will strengthen the weak... 

– Ezekiel 34:15-16

When he comes home, 
he calls together his friends and neighbors,
saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, 
for I have found my sheep that was lost.’

– Luke 15:6

Psalm 23 • Ezekiel 34:1-16 • Luke 15:1-7

We are most certainly among the lost.  Everyone of us has gone astray.  Like a helpless lamb at the bottom of a ravine, we are caught in our sin and the specter of death looms near.  Even if it never occurred to us before, during this time of self-imposed quarantine, we are desperately calling out to be found; to be rescued and redeemed by Jesus our Lord, the loving shepherd of the lost. 

Ezekiel says that God will rescue his own from the hands of injustice, because God’s love is just and His mercy never fails.  Luke says that Jesus is the Shepherd we’ve been waiting for—who demands mercy above and beyond the law of the Pharisees. The Psalmist says not to fear, because He is stronger than death and that even his rod and staff, normally tools used for discipline and guidance, are a comfort!

If we ever thought we didn’t need a Good Shepherd, now is the time to revisit these verses. Now is a good time to repent of our relying too much on ourselves and everything we’ve built, bought, and invented to try to insulate us from the fact that we are just like sheep—wandering around off the beaten path.

Now is a good time to rely on the justice and mercy of our Lord and Redeemer.  Now is a good time to think about being carried in Jesus’ arms to join the rest of the flock.  To think about being so close to Him, in the crook of His arm, that we are brought face-to-face with Him!  Wouldn’t that be glorious!  And isn’t that the promise?

– Randi Lundell

Prayer

Good Shepherd, I need you.  Thank you for holding me close and loving me so fully.  Amen.