Ezekiel 34.1-24, Romans 3.19-31 - Lectionary for 1/12/10

Today's readings are Ezekiel 34.1-24 and Romans 3.19-31.

What kind of shepherd does our God desire for his flock?  In today's reading Ezekiel the priest and prophet condemns the situation he sees in Israel.  He and his brother priests, the children of Aaron, have failed in their God-given shepherding task.  They provide some comfort for the flock, but not much.  They care for the flock just enough to get what they want from it - - their food and drink.  This is the work of a bad shepherd.  This is the work of a bully among the flock, not of a good custodian of the flock.  Our God will not endure such neglect.  He will cast out he bad shepherds.  He will prevent them from eating from the flock.  He will gather the flock to himself and appoint a new shepherd, the shepherd David, who will nurture the flock and give himself for their care.

This passage is sometimes used to suggest that ministers of the Gospel should not receive a living from their work.  But that is not a good reading of the text.  Our Lord nowhere condemns the minister receiving his full support from the flock.  Here what our Lord is condemning is those who are not caring for the flock receiving their support at the flock's expense.  That is quite different.  The pastor should work, and work hard, for the good of the flock, building them up.  But he should receive his care from the hands of the flock he shepherds.  This is good and right.

This passage is sometimes used to suggest that there should be no "full-time" pastors since Christ, the Son of David, is the good shepherd.  Yet Christ himself appointed apostles and had them appoint others, passing on the gift and the authority to minister in his Name.  Pastors act on the command and in the name and authority of Christ.  When performing the pastoral work, they are serving as Christ, by his Spirit and in using his word to confront sin, to encourage and to comfort.

Do our shepherds fail?  Most certainly.  All of us, pastors included, are sinners.  Yet all of us have access to God the Father through Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, access in repentance and reception of the forgiveness our Lord has provided so freely.  He is indeed the good shepherd who will gather and protect his flock.,  Let us run to him for mercy.