Peter Misselbrook's Blog

Sep 30 2019 - Ezekiel 34 – Shepherds and sheep

David was a shepherd boy before the Lord anointed him as king over his people Israel. David wrote many of the psalms but perhaps the best known is Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd…" In this psalm David meditates on the Lord's care for him which he sees as similar, though far more wonderful than the way in which he cared for his sheep. The Lord is not only his shepherd, but has called David to care for his people in the same way. The leaders among God's people should be shepherds of his people.

This theme is picked up in Ezekiel chapter 34. God had called the leaders in Jerusalem and Judah to act as shepherds to his people, caring for their needs and leading them in the way that they should go. But, the Lord declares through Ezekiel, these shepherds have cared only for themselves. They have seen the people as a resource to be exploited, like shepherds who feed on the milk and make themselves cheese and even kill the choice animals from the flock to feed themselves. They have not looked after the injured or lame. Their neglect has led to the sheep being scattered on the mountains and becoming a prey to wild animals (vv. 2-7). The Lord is going to hold these "shepherds" accountable for their neglect. They will be removed from tending the flock (vv. 8-10a).

The leaders of God's people had led them into idolatry rather than leading them in devotion to the Lord their God. Their disobedience had led to captivity: the leaders of God's people had been taken away into captivity, the people had been scattered among the nations – some had gone down into Egypt – and now Jerusalem and the temple have been destroyed.

But this is not the end of the story of God's dealings with his people. As in the days when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, so again, the Lord will come to rescue his people – The Lord declares, "I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them" (v. 10b).

Having sacked the self-centred "shepherds", the Lord will himself take on the role of shepherding his people. He will search out the lost sheep, rescue them from the places where they have been scattered and bring them safely home. He will lead them in green pastures and they will lie down and not be afraid. The Lord will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak but will destroy those who have made themselves fat at the expense of others: he will "shepherd the flock with justice." The Lord will judge between the sheep and the goats (vv. 16,17). He will save his flock so that "they will no longer be plundered" (v. 22). The Lord is going to make a "covenant of peace" (v. 25) with his redeemed people. "'You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God', declares the Sovereign Lord" (v.31).

This wonderful promise that the Lord will come to the rescue of his scattered people is ultimately fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Good Shepherd, the unparalleled Leader and Redeemer of his people – he laid down his life for the sheep that they might have life through him. He is the one who is redeeming and gathering together a people for himself from every nation under heaven, making them one flock under one shepherd. He is the one who calls for his sheep to follow him, and those who are his sheep hear his voice and do follow him. He is the one who goes before us to prepare a place for us in glory and will come to take us to be with him.

Part of following him means that we too are to be good shepherds who go in his name to seek out those who are lost and encourage them to come home. We are to be good shepherds who care one for another and especially care for those who are weak and injured by the battles of life.

Father God, we thank you for your redeeming love seen especially in the Lord Jesus. Through Jesus death and resurrection you have made a covenant of peace with us and you enable us to rest secure in him. We rejoice in your saving care. Help us to show the same care for those around us that they also may be drawn into your flock and find in Jesus the Shepherd and Overseer of their souls.

Sep 30 2020 - Matthew 26:47-68 – Legions of angels

Immediately after Jesus' baptism by John, he spent 40 days fasting in a deserted place. At the end of this time, the devil came to tempt him. In one of those temptations, Jesus was taken to the top of the temple. The devil suggested that he should throw himself down; surely God would send an angel to catch him so that he would not come to any harm. Jesus resisted the temptation of the evil one and angels did come to minister to him (Matthew 4:11).

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus has begun to face the terror of the ordeal before him; not merely death on a cross, but bearing the sin of the world. At the end of his prayer-ordeal, when he has determined to do the Father's will, an angel came to minister to him and strengthen him (see Luke 22:43).

Now Judas the betrayer has arrived, and with him "a large crowd armed with swords and clubs" intent on seizing him and taking him to be tried before the Sanhedrin. For one brief moment, one of the disciples, Peter, is bold enough to draw his sword and seek to defend Jesus. But Peter is rebuked and told to put his sword away. Jesus says, "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"

These words of Jesus suggest that the words of the devil in the desert may have returned to tempt Jesus in this moment of crisis – perhaps they had never been far from him. He knew that he could call not upon one angel, but legions of angels to fly to his protection. But the temptation no sooner entered his mind than it was refused. The Father had sent him into the world for a purpose. Just as he had been baptised by John "to fulfil all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15), so also now he submits to be taken captive and to be led away to false trial and unjust death, that "the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled" (26:56).

Jesus' death is a story of human wickedness and injustice. In this respect, sadly, it is far from unique. Scenes like this are played out daily in many parts of our world. What is unique is the person and mission of Jesus. He was sent by God to suffer and submit to betrayal, injustice, torture and death that, by this very means, and by his resurrection from the dead, he might defeat the power of human wickedness. In his death wickedness is brought to judgment; by his resurrection justice triumphs and righteousness reigns. And, at the empty tomb, it is angels who proclaim the good news to the disciples.

But for now, the acceptance of the way of the cross leaves Jesus abandoned. For, no sooner has he declared, "this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled", than his followers fulfil what was spoken of them; "the disciples deserted him and fled."

For me, one of the most mysterious verses of Scripture is Hebrews 1:14, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” Do angels minister to me? Maybe they do, but I remain as unaware of the legions that surround me as Elisha’s servant (see 2 Kings 6:15-17).

Heavenly Father, teach me what it means to follow Jesus. Help me to follow in the way of the cross and not to yield to the temptation to turn tail and flee when the going gets tough. May your ministering angels keep guard over me and your Spirit strengthen me to do your will.

Peter Misselbrook