"The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them." (Ezekiel 34:4)
What a responsibility for the pastor is outlined in this verse. It's interesting to note the order: those in the sheepfold (though diseased, sick, and broken) come first to be ministered unto. Then those astray, then those lost. Interesting the progression: diseased - sick - broken - driven away - lost.
2 comments:
Thanks for sharing, Amanda! I had never noticed the order of priorities before in this verse, so it was very insightful to see that revealed here!
"And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:" ~ Acts 26:15-19
Since reading this passage last week, it reminded me of the many times Paul shared his testimony and has caused me to re-evaluate how I approach opportunities God gives me to witness. Before reading this, I had forgotten the most powerful way to open up the gospel to someone is to simply start with my own testimony! Paul used his witness of what Jesus had done for him to launch into the gospel (verses 22-23). What might happen if I did the same?
~Kenzi
Thanks, Kenzi! The passage you shared is a good reminder - sharing the Gospel with our testimony of how it personally affected us. I needed that reminder!
~Amanda
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17
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