It’s one thing when a friend breaks your trust. It’s another thing when it’s an entire organization or group of leaders you look up to.
I have a friend who was raised in a cult. She’s shared so many stories with me about all she suffered at the hands of leaders who should have cared for her, led her with biblical truths, and shepherded her heart.
Instead, her leaders misused their power and hurt many people.
I imagine you can relate in some way. You, too, probably have painful stories of those who could and should have shepherded your heart in better ways.
This is the issue we find God addressing through the prophet Ezekiel in today's key verse. The leaders called to shepherd God’s people with great care had proven to care only about themselves. Instead of being well tended to, God’s people were left sickly and scattered. Instead of being protected, they were preyed upon (Ezekiel 34:2-8).
Thankfully, God didn’t just promise justice would come to the bad shepherds. God also offered the hope of a better Shepherd: “And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd” (Ezekiel 34:23).
This is the same hope God is pointing us toward today — Jesus is the Good Shepherd!
And I love how Jesus Himself unpacks for us why we can trust Him:
- “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11, ESV).
When it feels like earthly shepherds have taken advantage of us, we can remember the Good Shepherd willingly gave His life for us.
The Old Testament sacrificial system demanded that sheep be sacrificed to cover sin, but Jesus chose to turn everything around: He became the Lamb and took on our sins. Our Shepherd traded places with us.
Friend, if you have been wounded by a leader, you can still restore your trust in Jesus, the God who loves you and gave His life for you. Ask Jesus to lead and shepherd you to a place where you start trusting Him again.
- “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me …” (John 10:14, ESV).
When it feels like earthly shepherds have neglected us, we can remember the Good Shepherd knows us intimately.
The Greek word for “know” in John 10:14 is ginōskō, which means “to recognize, perceive.” This is so much more than simply “head knowledge” and facts. This is heart knowledge. This is a mother knowing the cry of her child — or best friends knowing how to finish each other's sentences. It is deep and intimate. And it declares to us that we are seen, secure and safe in His love.
Perhaps you feel like you are wandering this world with no shepherd, no one to guide you or invest in you. Perhaps you’re fearful of trusting God or anyone else. Please know that Jesus wants to be your Good Shepherd. A Shepherd who proved His love by laying down His life for you, who wants to know you and be known by you, and who wants to guide you through this life to eternity with Him.
Dear God, I want to let the truth of who You are and what You have done for me sit freshly upon my heart today. I want to let it soak into the deepest, most sacred parts of my heart. You are my Shepherd and my Savior, my Rescuer and the Restorer of my soul. You have proven Yourself worthy of my trust and my praise, and I want to follow You with my whole heart for all of my days. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
