Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock;
You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!
Psalm 80:1
The Lord Jesus is the Shepherd of Israel. The chief priest and scribes said as much when the wise men came to King Herod seeking the Christ child: “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel” (Matthew 2:6).
Even though the Savior healed the demon-possessed daughter of the Canaanite woman, He first stated, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matthew 15:24). Coming as the Root of David, He came to shepherd the flock, before He could reign as king. But the flock of Israel refused to follow the Christ. Even so, this Good Shepherd gave His life for the sheep (John 10:11).
With less than a week before the crucifixion, the Lamb of God still desired to lead His flock although He used a different metaphor: “…How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings…” (Matthew 23:37).
Before the Shepherd of Israel could lead His sheep to the still waters, He was struck down and the flock was scattered (Matthew 26:31). That means that the title has yet to be fulfilled. Before the Jewish Messiah can bring peace and reign over Israel, the children of Jacob must acknowledge the sin of rejecting the Shepherd who came to save them.
450 years of idolatry led to 70 years of the Babylonian captivity. But rejecting the promised Messiah resulted in nineteen and a half centuries without a Temple or means for atonement. The nation of Israel today still hasn’t received Yeshua (Jesus) as Maschiach (Messiah), so lasting Shalom (peace) is not possible.
Please pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and that the Jewish people can finally receive the promised Shepherd of Israel.
March 21
