People everywhere, at all times, have needed a shepherd like ours

By Dean Collins

Anyone else looking for hope and a way forward?

Young and old alike are watching their retirement accounts these days. We have experienced a major hit to our bottom lines, and even after following all the great advice about balanced portfolios, we’ve seen both stocks and bonds taking a beating. The experts agree there are a variety of factors. Some were expected and some not.

I am neither an economist nor an investment advisor, but I’ve lived long enough and read enough to know that over time stocks go up in value until there is a correction in the market sending them lower, and then a new cycle begins. Markets are cyclical they say, and we hope for a better economy, lower inflation, and a recovery of our savings for our future.

Recently, the supply chain challenge seems to be the reason everyone gives for nearly any inconvenience. Along with the pandemic and the economy, the supply chain has become the reason given for all of our challenges. And so we wait and hope for someone to emerge who miraculously can fix all three.

We wait and hope for someone to emerge who can miraculously fix our problems.

Of course in the United States, we place great faith in our constitution and in our form of government. Surely our elected officials can shepherd us out of our challenges. In every election cycle, they claim they can. We have seen our politicians make great promises and at times they have delivered some good on them. Other times they don’t, and the reasons usually have to do with the last person in office who made such a mess of things that it takes time to clean it up. Real help does seem to take time. And we hope today’s political shepherds will deliver what we need and do it quickly.

In need of a shepherd

The fact is that in every age, people need a shepherd to bring them hope. It was true in the days of Ezekiel. During a time when things had bottomed out for God’s chosen ones who watched Jerusalem fall and the Babylonian captivity set in, Ezekiel spoke words of hope. 

The prophet had given numerous words of judgment in the first 33 chapters of his prophecy. Now in chapter 34, the tone shifts. Through this prophet, God spoke words of hope: “I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.” One better than a king or for us a senator, a congressional leader, or even a president. God himself declared that he would be a shepherd and would rescue his sheep and provide safety and green pasture.

Of course, as followers of Jesus, we know that the promises of God are far better than the promises of any man or woman, regardless of their title or position. And one way we know this to be true comes to us from both Ezekiel and the words of Jesus himself.

The shepherd has come

Those who first heard the words of Jesus recorded in John 10 would have been aware of the promises spoken through the prophet Ezekiel. They had waited hundreds of years for the shepherd to appear. Many leaders had positioned themselves to be the shepherds of God, but according to Jesus, there is a difference between hired hands and good shepherds. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. A good shepherd does not run away, hide, or ignore the sheep, no matter the size of the wolf or any other danger ahead. Hired hands will often cower in times of trouble, seeking to save themselves. Jesus, on the other hand, will do whatever is needed for the sheep, even giving his life to save them.

Jesus will do whatever is needed for the sheep, even giving his life to save them.

Jesus delivered on his promise. As God’s perfect shepherd, he offered his life to provide the ultimate solution to our greatest need. His death paid the price for our sins, all of them. His resurrection gives us victory over death and makes possible rich and full life now and forever.

I don’t want to sound simplistic. We need a functioning government. We need men and women who will work for our common good. But we must be careful about where we place our hope and our money. Only Jesus can give us what we truly need. Only Jesus offers a kingdom where justice and mercy work perfectly. Only Jesus offers grace and kindness that can and will bring transformation from the inside that is visible on the outside. Only Jesus is the Shepherd we must follow if we want to experience the richness and fullness of everything God created.

I am looking for a way forward in the craziness and noise of our current moment. I think my best option and yours as well is to turn down the noise and listen for the voice of the shepherd. He knows our names, will call us, and will lead us to green pastures today and always.

Your time with God’s Word
Ezekiel‬ ‭34‬:‭11‬-‭24‬; John‬ ‭10‬:‭11‬-‭18‬ ‭ESV

Photo by Mohamad Babayan at Unsplash.com

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