"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Monday, 14 November 2016 with Scripture Jeremiah 23:1-6

"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Monday, 14 November 2016 with Scripture Jeremiah 23:1-6
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Jeremiah 23:The Righteous Branch
1 “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. 2 Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the Lord. 3 “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord.
5 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
    “when I will raise up for David[Jeremiah 23:5 Or up from David’s line] a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
    and do what is just and right in the land.
6 In his days Judah will be saved
    and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
    The Lord Our Righteous Savior.[Complete Jewish Bible]
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The office of pastor is often equated with being a shepherd. But this is also a shared responsibility with all the baptized. As Christians we are called to serve in many and various vocations in God's world and care for neighbor and creation. However, as we well know, we often fail. Jeremiah does not mince words. Woe to those shepherds who scatter flocks. This accusation convicts our hearts and our good intentions. Yet God attends to us not with punishment but with mercy and forgiveness through a righteous branch, one who will come and give us hope and promise and life.
We are set free daily to be God's shepherds because we have a God who attends to us with hope and peace and justice. We are to be faithful. Yet when we struggle, when we fail, God promises redemption and hope. Thanks be to God for the good shepherd who encourages us and moves us forward in faith. 
God our shepherd, we confess that we often fail in our efforts to be faithful to you and serve your people. Thank you for both challenging us to serve as well as attending to us not with the punishment we deserve but with grace and mercy. All this we ask through your righteous branch, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Erik K. J. Gronberg, '05
Bishop, Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod, ELCA
Jeremiah 23:1 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord.
2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord.
3 Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply.
4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord
5 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The Lord is our righteousness."[New Revised Standard Version]

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