“And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd” (Ezekiel 34:23 ESV).
Amidst His words of divine judgment, God gave Israel a promise of a coming shepherd who would lead and feed them as God’s own flock. This shepherd was to be none other than God’s own “servant David,” who would be both shepherd and “prince” (Ez.34:24). This was one of the clearest Messianic prophecies given to Israel.
Perhaps Jesus was remembering this prophecy that God gave to Ezekiel when He said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). For when Jesus, Son of David, Son of God came, they rejected Him, turning Him over to be crucified on a Roman cross. Jesus the Servant has already come. Jesus the Prince will soon come again.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Jesus, our Good Shepherd. For He has come just as You said. And He will return just as He has promised. Now strengthen us to follow Him and to be His under-shepherds of the flock with Him as our Head. In Jesus’ name, amen.