Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them; I will rescue them; I myself will tend my sheep (Ezekiel 34: 2 - 15).
When Jesus says in John 10: "I am the Good Shepherd," He is referring to this well known passage in Ezekiel 34, where the prophet is criticizing the political and religious leaders (shepherds) of Israel who look after themselves and not their people. Not much has changed!
The human condition is such that "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely," thus it takes the work of Christ in our lives to move us beyond ourselves to live for others, as Jesus taught us to do. It is rare, but it is the calling of everyone who identifies as a follower of Jesus. Love God; Love others. That's our call, that's
our life.
Pray about taking Disciple 1, 2, 3, 4 or Christian Believer this Fall. 34 weeks. Excellent. Sign ups late August.
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Welcome to the new Trinity United Methodist Church's Daily Scripture Email system.
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