The Rescuing of the Sheep

SCRIPTURE READING: Ezekiel 34

The Rescuing of the Sheep

Text: Deuteronomy 28:28-34

I want to use these text verses to demonstrate man’s Helplessness and God’s Strength. Let each of us be reminded today, of how much we are in need of the Strength and Help of God - while at the same time acknowledging the Weakness and wickedness of man. As we ponder these thoughts, I want us to see the Lost Sheep, wandering in the wilderness, and the imminent death and destruction that he faces. And then, out of the darkness and misery that surrounds him, there comes a Shepherd - the Shepherd Who has come to save the sheep! Deut. 31:29; Jer. 50:6

The Hopeless Condition of the Unsaved

Man is a creature, who in his natural estate, is truly in a condition of madness, blindness, and astonishment of heart. This is hi condition, and he cannot escape it!. Our text verses deal with this awful predicament that man is in. Notice, especially, the phrases “...thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore...”, and “...there shall be no might in thine hand...”, and “...thy sheep shall be given unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to rescue them...” Ps. 127:1; Mt. 23:27-28; Jn. 5:40; 10:9; Acts 4:12; Prov. 16:25

The Righteous Rescuer

In our text, Moses mentions that the sheep would be given to the enemies and there would be none able to rescue them. This is the same with the lost sheep of the world of men.  In the case of the Israelites, Moses is warning them that if they were disobedient unto their God, then all of these things that are mentioned in our text verses could come upon them. In the process of these things, it was possible (indeed probable) that the sheep of the Israelites would be taken away from them, and they would have none to rescue them. In a spiritual sense, this is the sad plight of each of those who are lost in their sins. They are desperate, without hope, and bound to be destroyed. Well, I want to direct your attention today, to the Great Shepherd of the Sheep - the One Who Rescues His Sheep! Jn. 10:14-16; Mt. 18:12-14

The Rescue of the Sheep

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Shepherd, and we are the sheep. We were lost, and there was none to rescue us - until the Shepherd came unto us. We are in the same shape that Moses is describing in our text verses. We are as the sheep that are taken away - only in our situations, we are taken away by our own Sins, and Lusts, and Wickedness. But, in the same sense as the sheep that Moses is speaking of, we, too, are Lost and have none to rescue us, except Jesus Christ! We ought to tell the worlds of the danger that they are in! We ought to exalt Jesus Christ (not mankind) as the only hope for life and eternal peace! This is a rescue operation which cannot be performed based upon man’s knowledge, man’s strength, or man’s goodness. This is a rescue that can only be performed by our Lovely Saviour, the Great Shepherd of the Sheep, Jesus Christ. Ps. 119:176; Isa. 53:6; Ezek. 34:11-16; Lk. 19:10

Conclusion

Today, please consider the Helpless and Feeble condition of the Sheep that are lost. Think about how urgent is the need for a Rescue. Though man has devised many ways to save himself, none of these ways will ever be successful; because, it is only in the Shepherd of the Sheep that there is Hope. I have told you about that Shepherd today, and I hope that you are thankful, as I am, to have Him as your Shepherd and Saviour. 1Pet. 2:24-25