January 6th, 2009 by admin

Ezekiel
34:4 (KJV)

The diseased have ye not strengthened,
neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which
was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither
have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye
ruled them.

In this passage God is rebuking the shepherds for not being faithful to the sheep in performing various duties. These duties constitute the “role of the shepherd”. Notice they were to strengthen the diseased, and to heal that which was sick. This is a very clear passage of what the responsibilities were for the shepherd. In John 10:11 Jesus says that He is the Good Shepherd. He goes on to say that He even lays down his life for the sheep. The laying down of your life as a shepherd was not mentioned as a role in Ezekiel 34. Jesus is telling us that the Good Shepherd gives everything for the sheep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If Jesus would go as far as giving His life for
us, His sheep, why wouldn’t he do a lesser thing and care for our bodies.
Healing our bodies is much easier than dying for us. If Jesus would die for us
performing the greater task, He will also heal our bodies, performing the
lesser.

In fact, we read in I Peter 2:24 that He did heal our bodies. By His stripes we “were” healed. Just by understanding the “role of the shepherd” should give us comfort to know that “all” that we need is provided for through Jesus. David even says in Psalms 23 that the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. I believe David understood the provision that was given to the flock of God. Even one of the seven redemptive names of God is Jehovah Ra-ah, meaning the Lord is my Shepherd. Be encouraged that Jesus is the “Good” Shepherd and we are the sheep of His pasture. He has fulfilled all the responsibilities as a Good Shepherd, and by faith we receive these blessings into our lives. Be blessed and let the Good Shepherd care for you.

Blessings to you on your journey,

Lee