January 12, 2024 

Today's Reading: 

Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 34:1-24; Romans 3:19-31

For thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.” (Ezekiel 34:11-12)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Contrary to popular belief, sheep aren’t stupid. Sheep are actually rather intelligent creatures. They have individual personalities, needs, and learn things very quickly. While sheep are often used in scripture as a metaphor for human beings under God’s care, we are not compared to sheep because they’re dumb animals who are too stupid to do anything on their own. On the contrary, we’re compared to sheep because we are a lot like them. Sheep wander for specific purposes! As prey animals, they’re fearful creatures, and as a result, they’re always searching for ways to avoid danger. If something seems dangerous, it’s better for them in their own minds to run away before they wait long enough to find out what the danger is. Sheep will follow one another, even wandering away from their shepherd, because they find strength in numbers. 

We do not stray from God because we’re too stupid to follow Him, we stray because we want to, because we think we know what’s best. We get ourselves in danger trying to be our own shepherds and finding our own way. While we might convince ourselves that we have “good intentions,” if we lead ourselves, we will only end up marching to one place: directly into the clutches of the evil one. Sheep who stray from their shepherd may think they are thoughtfully avoiding danger, but without their protector, they find themselves in an entirely more dangerous position, defenseless against the uncertainties of the wilderness. But it does not please the Lord to give us over to our own sinful desires or to our own selfish intuitions, to leave us to this untimely fate. The Lord seeks us out, one by one, and brings us back into His fold. He is willing to go to the ends of the earth, even into the jaws of death itself, in order to carry us home into His care. Thanks be to God that our Good Shepherd seeks out His scattered sheep, and that we may be numbered among His flock.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

We are Yours; in love befriend us, Be the guardian of our way; Keep Your flock, from sin defend us, Seek us when we go astray. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, Hear us children when we pray. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, hear us children when we pray. (LSB 711:2) 

-Vicar Benjamin Heinz is vicar at Trinity Lutheran Church, Springfield, MO.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

The Lutheran Reader’s Bible helps you develop a habit of devotion and Bible reading so you can slowly but intentionally understand and grow in God’s Word. Through introductions to the sixty-six books of the Bible, guided reading plans, and more, this Bible builds your confidence to study Scripture on your own.