I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them. (Ezekiel 34)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Sheep need a Shepherd. Sheep tend to wander. Sheep get lost. Sheep are weak. They get caught in thickets. Sheep get into trouble. There is a pack of ferocious wolves hungry to feed on the sheep. To separate the Sheep from its
Shepherd. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned — every one — to his own way. (Isaiah 53)
The sin of wandering away from the Shepherd lives inside each one of us. We have inherited it from Adam. Skipping church, shutting our ears and heart to the Word of God. Lusting, lying, coveting, gossiping and the evil that is in our hearts. Sheep wandering off into sin.
Thanks be to God for the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ. The Lord does not send others to do His saving work. Christ seeks wandering sheep like you. Jesus pulls you up from the pit of death. Jesus snatches you from the jaws of the wolf/devil.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.... I lay down my life that I may take it up again.No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. (John 10)
The Good Shepherd places you into the flock of His Church. Jesus tends His flock with His living Word. Calling sinners to repentance. Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost. I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15)
The Sheep listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd. Sheep gather around the Shepherd to feed on God's Word ringing in your ears and reigning in your hearts. Sheep rejoice in hearing the soothing voice of the Good Shepherd. The Good News of Jesus saving sinners. Jesus bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2)
The Voice of your Good Shepherd ringing in your ears. From the Font – I baptize you in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. From the Altar – the Good Shepherd feeds His Sheep with His Body and Blood to eat and drink. In Holy Absolution – I forgive you all your sin – by Christ’s passionate death and glorious resurrection. The Words of your Good Shepherd forgive your sin. The Word gives you life and salvation.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (Psalm 23)
Jesus is the Good Shepherd for the Sheep. Your Pastors are under-shepherds to the Good Shepherd. Your Pastors are to teach God's Word in its truth and purity so the Voice of our Good Shepherd can be heard and believed. “The one who hears you hears me."(Luke 10) Jesus tending His flock. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe LSB 666:3
As true as God’s own Word is true,
Not earth nor hell’s satanic crew Against us shall prevail.
Their might? A joke, a mere facade!
God is with us and we with God — Our vict’ry cannot fail.