Easter 4 | Ezekiel 34:1-10 (with Tom Gastil)

Opening Song:
King of Love by Adam Palmer, Jonathan Smith, Matthew Hein, Stephanie Kulla, and Stuart Garrard

Lyrics:
The King of Love my Shepherd is
Whose goodness faileth never
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever
And He is mine forever

Where streams of living water flow
My ransomed soul He leadeth
And where the verdant pastures grow
With food celestial feedeth

Never failing Ruler of my heart
Everlasting Lover of my soul
On the mountain high or in the valley low
The King of Love my Shepherd is
The King of Love my Shepherd is

Lost and foolish off I strayed
But yet in love He sought me
And on His shoulder gently laid
And home rejoicing brought me

In death's dark veil I fear no ill
With Thee dear Lord beside me
Thy rod and staff my comfort still
Thy cross before to guide me

Oh Hallelujah Hallelujah
Oh Hallelujah Hallelujah

And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never
Good Shepherd may I sing Your praise
Within Your house forever
Within Your house forever

Passage:
The word of the Lord came to me:
2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy, and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says to the shepherds: Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who have been feeding themselves! Shouldn’t the shepherds feed their flock? 3 You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened animals, but you do not tend the flock. 4 You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bandaged the injured, brought back the strays, or sought the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. 5 They were scattered for lack of a shepherd; they became food for all the wild animals when they were scattered. 6 My flock went astray on all the mountains and every high hill. My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and there was no one searching or seeking for them.

7 “ ‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord. 8 As I live ​— ​this is the declaration of the Lord God ​— ​because my flock, lacking a shepherd, has become prey and food for every wild animal, and because my shepherds do not search for my flock, and because the shepherds feed themselves rather than my flock, 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord!

10 “ ‘This is what the Lord God says: Look, I am against the shepherds. I will demand my flock from them and prevent them from shepherding the flock. The shepherds will no longer feed themselves, for I will rescue my flock from their mouths so that they will not be food for them. -- Ezekiel 34:1-10 (CSB)

Musical Reflection:
“Air on the G String” from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major by J.S. Bach

Reflection Notes:
The slow, descending bass line creates musical “steps” in an elegant fashion while a suspended melody several octaves above creates a satisfying combination of sound registers.

Prayer:
This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.