Wednesday, November 30, 2022  

Today’s Scripture Reading
Jeremiah 23:3–4

Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord. (NRSV)

Reflection

This short passage from Jeremiah follows two verses in which God criticizes the leaders who have destroyed and scattered God’s people, calling them evil. In these two verses, God says God will gather God’s flock, lead them back into the fold where they can flourish, and will raise up “shepherds” who will not be evil. The succeeding verses speak of a branch of the house of David from which God will raise a ruler who will “reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.”

As we travel through Advent to Christmas, waiting for and finally celebrating the birth of the One True Shepherd, we are waiting for that wise and just shepherd. This passage seems clearly to refer to the coming birth of Jesus. The New Testament is full of references to Jesus as the good shepherd. In just one example, Jesus, in the Gospel of John, says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

So it seems that Jeremiah, who spent his career chastising the people of Israel for their shortcomings, was prophesying the coming of the good shepherd, Jesus, whose birth we will shortly celebrate. We can see that God was developing the plan for our salvation all along, as early as during the time of Jeremiah. How comforting to know that God has always had a plan for us.

In Jeremiah’s time, human rulers had let down God’s people. It is the same today. Human leaders will always disappoint us. But Jesus is there as the good shepherd, who will deal wisely and execute justice and righteousness in the world. This is God’s promise to us, from the beginning of history.

Prayer

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for always thinking of us and for your promise of Christ. Help us to rely on Jesus, the leader you have provided for us. Lead us in our faith, and help us to trust in the one Leader who will not disappoint us. Amen.

Written by Juli Crabtree, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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