23 March 2013 - one shepherd

23 March 2013 - one shepherd

He who scattered Israel, now gathers them together,
he guards them as a shepherd his flock.

Without the LORD we can't live in harmony with one another. We seek our own interests, scarcely aware that there are other sheep in the pasture. This among the reasons it is so necessary to listen to the voice of the shepherd. Without him we have the tendency to scatter. We are prone to discord. True unity and harmony are not possible.

My servant David shall be prince over them,
and there shall be one shepherd for them all;

Jesus is our shepherd. If we listen to him we won't go astray. We will be able to live in harmony with our brothers and sisters. There is only one truth and that truth speaks with one voice. We can therefore have great confidence as we follow him.

Thus the nations shall know that it is I, the LORD,
who make Israel holy,
when my sanctuary shall be set up among them forever.

The world should be able to see that the LORD is amongst his flock. Even if they can't see the shepherd they should be able to tell by how peaceably and harmoniously the sheep live that there must be a shepherd. Sheep, after all, aren't smart enough to live this way on their own.

Our shepherd goes to great lengths to make this unity possible. The real barrier to unity exists in our hearts before it manifests in the world. He takes this selfish and self-directed nature to the cross and puts it to death.

he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation,
and not only for the nation,
but also to gather into one the dispersed children of God.

As we open ourselves to the victory of the cross are able to experience the joy that he wants for us as our hearts are opened and transformed.

I will turn their mourning into joy,
I will console and gladden them after their sorrows.