TEXT: Ezekiel 34:23-24 (Read vv. 23-31)
READING: Isaiah 11:1-16
SUBJ: Christ as the One Shepherd over all His sheep in every sense of the word from seeking them out to securing them in His fold and providing for their every need.
AIM: That we might be in the way of attentiveness to His voice alone and submissive to His care for His own people.
INTR: It is always a delight to discover Christ in reading the Old Testament prophets and to find their revelation that has come true in Him for every believer.
1. This is more than mere fascination with the idea that something was said and then came to pass hundreds of years later; this is the extent of the understanding of many.
2. Regarding the objects and beneficiaries of redemption it is the fact that they are in view that makes these things particular and precious.
3. In that Ezekiel was a prophet to the captives in Babylon the immediate context of this is to Israel. But, in that these things herein declared are embraced in claims of Christ, the message is Gospel in its substance and its promise extends to all believers.
THESIS: It is the oneness of Christ to which we are ever directed in the Scripture in that He is the exclusive perfection that God receives, and we marvel as we are ever drawn to Him and away from those pretending to be shepherds in this world.
I. The One who is set up
1. It is evidently being declared that Christ is exclusive and to be received as such by all who come to Him.
1) The problem identified and condemned among rebellious Israel.
2) The tendency of men to seek new and better ways and to be caught up in an idea – the reason of all the different denominations and the ever-emerging new ones.
3) The intent of the revelation of Christ is that all attention and submission is to be directed to Him. (Apparently men think in terms of what they must do).
2. Christ the One Shepherd of all: And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. John 10:16
1) The Good Shepherd: I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10:11 AND I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. John 10:14.
2) The Great Shepherd: 20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21
3) The Chief Shepherd: And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1 Peter 5:4 (True under-shepherds are ever pointing to the Chief Shepherd who has directed that His flock be fed (as opposed to being manipulated for questionable reasons).
II. What He would do
1. He shall feed them who are the poor of His sheep; those pushed about and rejected of the world.
1) He shall do it by His ministers, by His ordinances, through their worship and in accordance with His word.
2) He shall feed them with Himself as the bread of life and with His flesh and blood which are meat indeed and drink indeed.
2. He shall minister to them and incorporate into their life and experience covenant grace (such as described here -- see vv. 25-26)
1) Understood as come to pass in the Gospel and the promises it displays
2) The doctrines (teaching) concerning Himself that they may be applied
3) Milk for babes and strong meat for the mature all with the end of nourishing up with a reference to eternal life
3. “My servant David” is an obvious reference to David the type as well as to the lineage of Christ in His human form. The emphasis here is that He is the personal administrator and provider for each and every!
III. The relationship
1. The declaration here is not one of mere announcement of sovereign rule (although He is the God of all).
1) It is more particular to us in this manner: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:6 AND Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 2 Corinthians 1:3
2) The declaration here is of a relationship that God will have with His people and that in covenant relationship in Christ.
2. The explicit declaration here is that this loving caring relationship will be the end result of the precious redeeming work of the prince among them who came and bled and died and rose again for them.
3. The arrangement between the Father and the Son has been so ordered to identify together the One Shepherd and His sheep!!
