A shepherd's task (1)

"Here I am, and I will seek my sheep ... I will seek her, and I will seek her, and I will bring her back." Ezekiel 34: 11-16

The Lord is "the good shepherd" : this image is familiar to us. Verses such as "I am the good shepherd" (John 10: 11), or "the Lord is my shepherd" (Psalm 23: 1) are among the best known in the Bible. Taught to children at an early age so that they can trust Jesus fully, these verses remain current until the end of life. At the age of 147, Jacob testified : "God ... has been my shepherd ever since I am" (Gen. 48:15) !

A shepherd takes care of feeding, watering, driving and protecting the flock. But it can also be confronted with the absence of a sheep that has gone astray. What does he have to do ? Is it worth the search ? Is it necessary to expose oneself to danger in search of a stupid sheep who has moved away from the herd ? After having brought her back, will she not start again ? Anyway, on the whole herd, one more sheep or less, does that really make a difference ?

The verses of the day admit of no circumstance capable of justifying the inaction or indifference of the shepherd. Not to have brought back a lost sheep is one of the mistakes that call "misfortune" to the "pastors of Israel," whether they are kings, princes, prophets or other officials (Ezek. 34: 2). But the good shepherd undertakes to bring her back, for each sheep has a value in itself.

A shepherd does not resign himself to the loss of a sheep; He goes to look for him. Jesus did better: he gave his life for his sheep (John 10:11). He can not bring himself to the conclusion that only one of them goes astray. If a Christian departs from his path and is no longer able to find him, the Lord will do all he can to bring him back (Matt 18:12). The good shepherd has his means to speak to the heart or conscience of the wanderer, according to the motives which have been the cause of his estrangement.

What a favor it is to know Jesus as the good shepherd who undertakes to bring the lost sheep back to the flock ! This promise must encourage relatives or friends afflicted by the spiritual estrangement of one of their own. It encourages them to persevere in prayer with Jesus who affirms, speaking of his own : "Nobody will snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:28).

Source (To pleasing the Lord)