The Legacy We Leave - Part Deux

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep." Ezekiel 34:2-3

In considering the legacy we leave, it is important to remember that as Christians our duty is to feed the sheep not only here and now, but those who come after us.  But if we are busy feeding ourselves, how can we effectively feed the sheep God has placed in our care?

Recently I have been convicted of the fact that living in the world, I have been too much of it and have had to make the necessary adjustments.  In John 17:14-16, Jesus faithfully prayed to the Father for me to do just that, and if you are a believer, He prayed for you, too, when saying, "I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world" (ESV).  We must be constantly reminded that there is a very stark difference between the world's way and God's way lest we fall to the many temptations.

Jesus wants us to be ever mindful of the sheep in our care, making the necessary adjustments to feed and care for them above ourselves and our own selfish desires.  Notice the example of David in 1 Samuel 17:15 which tells us, "but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem" (ESV).

If we feed the sheep in our care well, we can be sure the legacy impact will be exponential.

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep" (John 21:17, ESV).

Goodnight, Runners.