Ez. 34:1-5; Jn. 10:11-15, The Sacrifice of the Good Shepherd

However you understand the order of events regarding the death and resurrection of Christ (i.e. Wednesday, Thursday or Friday crucifixion), today (Saturday) is the day of silence; the body of Jesus is in the tomb, in a garden, near the place of crucifixion. I’m not really up on the purpose of all the “holy days” during “holy week.”  So I checked, and because nothing is happening above ground (apparently the “descent into hell” can be celebrated on this day) it’s a good day for reflection on the eternal significance of the crucifixion.  So let us do some of that reflection.

Ezekiel tells us there are seven problems experienced by sheep.  Jesus said He was and is the Good Shepherd, and that the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.  So let us briefly acknowledge, entrust ourselves to, and put our hope in the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep.

·       Weakness (from a poor diet).  John 6:35,51: And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life.  He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 51: I am the living bread which came down from heaven.  If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”

·       Sickness. 1 Peter 2:24: who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

·       Injury (broken, by poor choices or the enemy). 

Luke 4:18: “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed.”

Matt.11:28: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

·       Straying (being driven away).  1 Peter 2:25: For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

·       Lost. Luke 15:3-7: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? ⁵ And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ ⁷ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

·       Scattered. Matt. 9:36: But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 

·       Attack by wild animals. 

1 Peter 5:8: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Heb. 2:14-15: Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

If I can make one further suggestion for meditation, now would be a great time to read Psalm 23.