Advent Devotional 12.2.21

 

 

Thursday, December 2, 2021

 

 

The Good Shepherd

 I myself will search and find my sheep.  I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock.  I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered….

Ezekiel 34:11b-12a

 

Ezekiel was a prophet over 500 years before the birth of baby Jesus.  The ‘Glory of the Lord’ spoke to Ezekiel many times.

In one vision, the Lord spoke of the shepherds of Israel not adequately caring for their sheep.  They needed to pay closer attention to the flock, strengthen the weak, heal the sick, bring back the strays and search for the lost.

The Sovereign Lord said ‘I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.  …I will rescue them.’

Later in the Bible, in Luke 15:4 we hear Jesus telling the story of the good shepherd leaving the ninety-nine sheep to go look for the one who was lost.

Jesus is our Good Shepherd.  Are you part of the Good Shepherd’s flock?  Are you safe with the ninety-nine or are you the one who is weak, sick, gone astray or lost?  Jesus is calling out to you.  Come back to the flock.

This Christmas, come home to Jesus.  He loves you.

 

Prayer

Here I am Jesus.  I have strayed away from the flock.  I am lost.  I need you.  I want to come home to you.  Save me.  Hear me when I call out to you.  Forgive my erring ways and welcome me back.

Amen

Ruth Hetletvedt