Bad shepherds do not escape justice

by Glenn Crouch

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them (Ezekiel 34:11).

Read Ezekiel 34:1–16

Have you ever been in a situation where your church has let you down? Perhaps a Christian leader or mentor has failed you. Christian leaders are supposed to be shepherds who follow the example of the Good Shepherd, but what happens when they are wolves? Where is God when that happens?

In our passage today, we see God’s response to the religious and political leaders’ failure as shepherds of his people. In verse 2, they are condemned for putting themselves first. They eat and dress well (verse 3), but they do not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick (verse 4). They think they have gotten away with their mistreatment of the Lord’s people, but he sees all, and his justice will come (verse 10)!

And the really good news? God himself will get his feet dirty and search for his people, and he will look after them (verse 11). He will rescue them (verse 12) and gather them from different countries (verse 13). Oh, how good it is for God’s people to have the Lord God as their Shepherd (verses 14 to 16).

Do you also see how our Lord Jesus fulfils this prophecy? He is indeed our Good Shepherd. Put your trust in him.

You can also be assured that the promise of justice in verse 16 still applies.

For those of us in leadership, we need to heed the warning given in this passage and protect and serve his people.

Gracious Father, heal the hurt that is within me. Open my eyes to where I have hurt others, forgive me and help me make amends. Lead me to the rest that you offer, through your dear Son. Amen.

Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.

Jesus is the way to salvation

by Glenn Crouch

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved (John 10:9a).

Read John 10:1–10

This week, we will take a journey through Scripture to explore the theme of shepherds. Given that today is celebrated as Good Shepherd Sunday, where better to begin than the Good Shepherd himself, our Lord Jesus.

When I lived in Kalgoorlie, there was really only one way to drive to Perth. You would hop onto the Great Eastern Highway and head west. Now that I live in Esperance, there are multiple ways (once you get past Ravensthorpe) to get to Perth – check Google Maps. Sometimes the choice made is one of preference; at other times, my wife and I want to see our grandson as quickly as possible, so every minute saved matters!

This is not how salvation works. We don’t open an app and choose the fastest or most scenic route. Jesus is not standing there, waving his arms and crying out, ‘Pick me! Pick me!’ There is only one gate, and that is Jesus. All other ways are used by thieves and robbers (verse 8).

Jesus says, ‘I am the gate’, not just in this verse but also in verse 7, with the double Amen (translated as ‘very truly’). Jesus is quite serious here. How do we get peace with God? Through Jesus. There is no other way. Keep following the Good Shepherd. Keep pointing others to his cross.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for how easily I become distracted and take my eyes off your dear Son. Through your Holy Spirit, make me an obedient sheep who delights in following the Good Shepherd. In his name, I pray. Amen.

Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.

You are my son

by Tatiana Overduin

Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.

I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, ‘You are my son; today I have become your father’ (Psalm 2:7).

Read Psalm 2

Wow! What more can be said in response to the defining message of Psalm 2? We see nations conspiring (verse 1) and kings and rulers colluding (verse 2).

Yet God shows us that he alone is sovereign over all. Enthroned in heaven, he laughs and scoffs at their plans and actions (verse 4), and he rebukes and terrifies them all.

Through this psalm, God reveals that there is only one true king who will inherit and possess the ends of the earth: his Son, Jesus.

Psalm 2 also brings a warning: be wise, you kings and rulers of the earth (verse 10). Serve the Lord with fear and trembling (verse 11). ‘Kiss the son’ (acknowledge him) lest he be angry and you perish in the way (verse 12).

To not acknowledge Jesus, the Son of God, as king of the world, is to stand under God’s judgement. Yet the psalm ends with a promise: ‘Blessed are all who take refuge in him’ (verse 12).

Heavenly Father, you sent your Son as the Saviour of the world. Help us in our distress as we witness world leaders pursuing paths of destruction. We pray that their hearts would be turned to you, so that your truth guides their decisions. May they ‘kiss the son’ and acknowledge him as king over all the earth. Protect and save your people, dear Lord, and have mercy on us for the sake of your Son. You are our Father, and we are your children. Guide and lead us in your ways. In Jesus’ holy name, we pray. Amen.

Tatiana is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Adelaide, where she enjoys singing on the music roster. She is married and has two adult children and six grandchildren. Now retired from full-time secondary education, she pursues her creative interests in fibre arts, taking inspiration from God’s hand evident in the beauty of creation.