Zechariah 10-11
Who Are You Shepherding?
A shepherd is defined as someone who cares for, leads, and guides, people or animals. In verse 11:4 the Lord said "Pasture the flock marked for slaughter". As I was reading through this I started to wonder, in today's world, who would that be? Who am I supposed to be caring for or guiding? In a world where idols are often created out of money, power, fame, or success, we, as followers of Jesus, have a wide field of people to choose from when we think about who we should be guiding. The choice is so clear, but the pull of the world is so strong, do we trust in the idols we create or in God's promises for our future? As we read through Zechariah and Revelation, we learn who the flock marked for slaughter is. Just as God told Zechariah to take a job as a shepherd of a flock of sheep being fattened for slaughter, Jesus told us to go make disciples (Matthew 28:19). Just as He told Peter to take care of His sheep, (John 21:16), He has told us. After I was done with the reading, I was led to pray and ask God who does He have for me to shepherd this year? As an instrument of God's hands, how will God use me to turn someone's eyes toward the Lord? As followers of Jesus, we know that there is nothing of this world that will fulfill us. As we've read all throughout the year and culminating in Revelations, only in the Messiah will all the promises of God be fulfilled. We have been commissioned by Jesus and empowered by His Holy Spirit to pasture the flock. I pray we continue to encourage and strengthen each other as a body of believers to care, lead and guide the flock marked for slaughter, always keeping our eyes fixed on the Lord and giving Him glory and honor and He gathers together under His wings those who are willing (Mat. 23:37, Luke 13:34). I would like to encourage everyone to take a moment as we close out this year and ask the Lord who He wants you to shepherd.
Who Are You Shepherding?
A shepherd is defined as someone who cares for, leads, and guides, people or animals. In verse 11:4 the Lord said "Pasture the flock marked for slaughter". As I was reading through this I started to wonder, in today's world, who would that be? Who am I supposed to be caring for or guiding? In a world where idols are often created out of money, power, fame, or success, we, as followers of Jesus, have a wide field of people to choose from when we think about who we should be guiding. The choice is so clear, but the pull of the world is so strong, do we trust in the idols we create or in God's promises for our future? As we read through Zechariah and Revelation, we learn who the flock marked for slaughter is. Just as God told Zechariah to take a job as a shepherd of a flock of sheep being fattened for slaughter, Jesus told us to go make disciples (Matthew 28:19). Just as He told Peter to take care of His sheep, (John 21:16), He has told us. After I was done with the reading, I was led to pray and ask God who does He have for me to shepherd this year? As an instrument of God's hands, how will God use me to turn someone's eyes toward the Lord? As followers of Jesus, we know that there is nothing of this world that will fulfill us. As we've read all throughout the year and culminating in Revelations, only in the Messiah will all the promises of God be fulfilled. We have been commissioned by Jesus and empowered by His Holy Spirit to pasture the flock. I pray we continue to encourage and strengthen each other as a body of believers to care, lead and guide the flock marked for slaughter, always keeping our eyes fixed on the Lord and giving Him glory and honor and He gathers together under His wings those who are willing (Mat. 23:37, Luke 13:34). I would like to encourage everyone to take a moment as we close out this year and ask the Lord who He wants you to shepherd.
Randi
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