Day 322

Ezekiel 33:21-35:15, James 2:1-26, Psalm 128:1-6

This seems quite a straight forward prophecy about Christ, and it links very well with the I am the Good Shepherd saying of Jesus in John’s gospel. It seems to link so well that there is hardly anything to say about it.

The link between those two passages though is much closer, certainly something that we can’t just skim over. It is a link that will probably have gone right to the heart for Jews hearing the message of Christ the Good Shepherd. First of all Jesus uses the phrase “I am” which we know has direct links with the “I am who I am” saying in the Old Testament. Secondly God does not promise to send a shepherd, he promises to be the shepherd.

In these two we see more evidence of the unity of God, Father and Son. God said he would do something and then he follows through in the life of Christ. He shepherds the flock, gathering them in, caring for them, loving them.

The sheep may still be astray, but we have a good shepherd who cares and loves and gathers. I mentioned the unity of God and here we complete the trinity in that the Spirit continues the work today. Sometimes that is all we need to know, it certainly is for me today, so know the Good Shepherd is there for you too.