Our Shepherd-King

We come to the last Sunday of the liturgical year, which is Christ the King. The lessons are rich in the imagery of a shepherd and the sheep.

My focus will be on Ezekiel 34:11-15, 20-24. Israel had experienced a number of bad kings- those who were disobedient to God and had worshipped other gods. Now, the nation experiences God's judgment and is hauled into exile in Babylon.

We read, "Thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out." (vs. 11). God intervenes to rescue his own people. God will seek the lost, bind up the injured, and feed them with justice. We also read that God will send a shepherd, one who will be like his servant David, who will come and lead the people.

This text finds fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. He will come to save the lost. He will rescue us from our sin. In the picture of the Last Judgment, we have Jesus portrayed as a shepherd-king, separating the sheep from the goats. Those who are saved are those who have helped the least of those in society--the hungry, the sick, and the imprisoned.

On the one hand, we can be grateful for such a shepherd-king that we have. Jesus cares for each one of us. He has drawn us to himself. On the other hand, we, too, in the body of Christ - as his hands and feet - have the responsibility to care for the least in our society. Jesus did not just come for us to think about our heavenly home, but that we would help those who are suffering in our world today.

Have you thought about the depth of Jesus' care as a shepherd for you? How are you doing in helping the "least" in our society today?