The people are going astray and God's anger burns hot against
the leaders. He has always held
spiritual leaders responsible for the sins of the people and for good
reason. The people don't tend to go
astray if there is a shepherd there who will bring them back. The job of the shepherd is to keep all the
sheep together because one who goes astray often becomes a de facto leader as
others follow it. The shepherd who truly
cares about the sheep will not allow that to happen. The role of shepherd has many facets, as the
23rd Psalm tells us, but one of the most important is not letting
the sheep go astray where it is no longer safe.
Here, they are seeking for answers and blessing from other gods because
the leaders aren't doing their job.
Ezekiel was told that if he knew of the sin of another and didn't do
anything about it, he would be responsible for that sin equally with the
sinner. Leaders bear a heavy burden for
the trust given them. Ultimately, He is the
Great Good Shepherd and all others are no more than under-shepherd, stewards,
and the good news is His concern for the flock is far greater than anyone
else's and He has come and said, I am the Good Shepherd.
The rich young ruler wants a leader to lead. He must have been a righteous-type person
because he believes he has kept the commandments toward man since his youth,
when he became responsible for them.
Jesus enumerate these, "Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do
not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.” What is left out of that list? The God-ward commandments, specifically of
having no other gods before Him. We find
that when push comes to shove, when he has to choose, he chooses his wealth
over the call to discipleship. His gods
are revealed to him this day. We need
people in our lives who can show us such things.
Paul says that if anyone is "caught" in a
transgression they are to be restored in a spirit of gentleness. This has much to do with our own need of
grace. Just because we haven't been
"caught" in sin doesn't mean we haven't sinned and we need to have
grace and mercy with those whose sins are known. Restoration is a matter of confession and not
excuse-making, we need to be clear that sin is treated seriously but so is the
cross. Paul also says that anyone who
has been taught should share all good things with the one who teaches. Our value for the things of God is sometimes
measured in what we are willing to give up to have them, just as it was for the
rich young man.
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