Matthew 18:10-14; Ezek. 34:4-6, Seek the Strays

Matthew 18 is a warning against pride.  And Matthew 18 is instruction in how we are to care for young followers of Christ.  The overall command is to “receive them” (v5).  The first subordinate command is to protect these little ones from stumbling (v5-9).  The second is to seek these little ones (v10-14).  Jesus uses two common pictures of discipleship: the “shepherd/sheep” relationship (Ezek. 34, John 10 and 1 Pt. 5, etc.) and the “father/son” relationship (1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; Titus 1:4; 2 Jn. 4; 3 Jn. 4).

Failure to seek lost sheep is to despise one of these little ones.  We are not to think little or nothing of those who, spiritually, are children or lambs.  This was a problem with the spiritual leadership in Jesus’ day as we will see in Matt. 23.  These shepherds had no mercy on the weak or sick among them. This failure is the subject of Ezekiel 34.  Ezekiel speaks of the failings of the shepherds and then proclaims God’s promise to send His Shepherd, the Messiah.  One thing that characterizes the Messiah is that He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young (Isa. 40:11).

In Ezek. 34:4-6 the prophet has some very practical instruction on what happens to sheep and how they are to be cared for by the shepherd.

·        Sheep become weak, generally because of poor diet.  The shepherd must strengthen them by improving their diet.  In discipleship the issue of “diet” has to do with how well the lambs are feasting on the Word of God.

·        Sheep become sick, perhaps by a dangerous diet or by contact with other diseased animals.  The shepherd must heal them.  In discipleship little ones become infected with false doctrine or by failing to turn from the world in which they have lived. 

·        Sheep become broken, perhaps by an encounter with a wild animal or by falling.  The shepherd must bind them up.  In discipleship little ones may be hurt in the spiritual battle or by stumbling over some unnecessary offense.

·        Sheep can be driven away, perhaps by bigger sheep that bully the lambs in the competition for food.  The shepherd must bring them back.  In discipleship this may be the result of disappointments or failed expectations.

·        Sheep can become lost, wandering from the shepherd and the flock.  It can even be inadvertent; but the shepherd must seek for them. 

To neglect the matter of seeking these lambs when they are lost denies both the purpose for Jesus’ coming to earth as well as the will of the Father.  Jesus purpose is seen in the shepherd/sheep relationship.  He will leave the ninety-nine in order to find the one that is lost.  As for the Father, His will is that none of them will be lost.  The angels who watch over these little ones are said to always have the attention of the Father.  Are we, in the way we come alongside these little ones, in sync with the Father and the Good Shepherd?