The Shepherd's Feast

The Shepherd's Feast: Lessons from Jesus and the Prophet Jeremiah

Jul 21, 2024 – 9th Sunday after Pentecost | Mark 6:30-44

Woe to Shepherds Scattering God's Flock

In 587 BC, Jerusalem fell, and the remaining Judahites were brought captive to Babylon. Jeremiah, a witness to the disaster, had warned the people for years, but his words were ignored. He may have described the depravity of the wealthy who mistreated the poor, the misbehavior of Judah's idolatrous kings, and the shortcomings of the priests who neglected their responsibilities despite God's command. These leaders ignored the needs of the people and provided no consolation or advice. They were useless.

Jeremiah makes no mention of the exact specifics. Instead, the Lord, through Jeremiah, provides a simple message that even a child can understand. Yet it has a deeper significance than a mere list of sins. "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture. You have not attended to my flock." These are not just words. They are a metaphor, a strong image portraying God's lament over distorted worship, the inability to communicate truth, and the mishandling of sin offerings. God shows His grief over His flock by referring to them as "my sheep," rather than "my people."

Upholding Lutheran Doctrinal Heritage

In the Lutheran Church, we greatly value our doctrinal heritage and firmly stand against false teachings. We defend critical truths such as divine inspiration, God's law, justification by faith, and the real presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper. Unlike some other Christian denominations that may deny these doctrines, it is my role as a pastor to uphold them without compromise. Our commitment lies in adhering closely to the clear teachings of Scripture.

When we evaluate Scripture as a whole, theological instruction appears sparingly. Scripture provides various genres, including narratives, poetry, prophecies, and doctrinal teachings, which are principally found in St. Paul's letters. As Paul carried the gospel to non-Jewish populations throughout Europe, he found it necessary to interpret and contextualize the Scriptures for them because they were unfamiliar with the Jewish understanding of God's Word.

While Scripture occasionally uses direct and forceful language, such as "Let there be light" or "This is my body," God's message is often heavily figurative, including metaphors, poetry, and prophecies. For example, in Jeremiah, God's words are poetic and metaphorical, as evidenced by His lament over destructive shepherds. This use of imagery is not limited to the Old Testament. Jesus frequently employs parables, comparing the Kingdom of Heaven to a wedding, a vineyard, a mustard seed, and other striking analogies.

Doctrinal clarity is critical and vigorously defended within our church. Scripture's fundamental mode of expression frequently incorporates rich forms of communication, revealing God's truths in literary and metaphorical ways.

God's Truth in Shepherd Metaphor

When the Bible describes historical events, they are frequently filled with metaphorical significance. Consider Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and King David. All were shepherds. These men understood God's love as they cared for living beings. In Psalm 23, King David describes God as his Shepherd. God uses familiar language, comparing Himself to a shepherd, to teach us about His nature. This approach encourages us to listen, believe, and connect the dots. Even in dire circumstances, God uses shepherd imagery throughout Jeremiah to depict the people's shortcomings and the necessary corrections.

God's chosen approach to teaching often involves stories and imagery, which reveal greater truths apart from mere facts. While a technical legal condemnation may appear more precise to our modern sensibilities, God uses narratives and evocative imagery because they relate to us on a deeper level. When God compares Himself to a shepherd and denounces Jerusalem's priests as false shepherds, the simplicity of the analogy cuts right to the heart of the matter.

Consider Nathan confronting David about his adultery with Bathsheba. Instead of making a direct accusation, Nathan tells a moving story that touches David's heart and reveals his guilt. This storytelling approach enables God to communicate deep truths about Himself and our relationship with Him in an immediate and obvious manner.

God employs storytelling and imagery to make abstract truths tangible and unavoidable. He urges us to look more deeply into the reality of who He is and what He expects of us.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd

In today's gospel, Jesus and the disciples sought solitude in a desolate place, seeking rest after a long stretch without respite. Jesus, worn out and mourning the recent death of his friend and cousin, John the Baptist, longed for a moment of peace.

When the crowds noticed their departure, they hurried after them on foot. Upon seeing the people, Jesus recognized them as sheep without a shepherd—a powerful image from the Scriptures. These were God's people, yet they lacked proper spiritual guidance and care. Moved with compassion, Jesus began to teach them.

Although the gospel narrative does not include Jesus' sermon, this story is about doctrine and teaching. When the disciples suggested driving the people away, Jesus told them to feed the crowd, stressing their position as shepherds. Despite their limited resources (five loaves and two fish), Jesus demonstrated His capacity as the Good Shepherd to provide for his flock. "They sat in groups on the lush grass. Taking the bread, Jesus looked up to heaven, gave thanks, broke it, and handed it to the disciples to distribute to the crowd. They all ate and felt satisfied."

Comfort in God's Promises

As a well-catechized Lutheran Christian, you understand the importance of receiving forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation through the means of the Word and Sacrament provided by the Lord. Today, however, I invite you to momentarily set aside this theological framework and view these divine gifts through the lens of a narrative—specifically, the narrative we just heard.

I have visited people on their deathbeds in hospitals and observed how comforting it is for them to hear God's word, especially words like "The Lord is my shepherd." In those moments, they don't merely seek information. They long for these promises to become real. They yearn to leave their hospital beds and follow their Good Shepherd to lush pastures where they can rest and be nourished by their Lord. They desire to partake in the Lord's Table, to join the wedding feast, and to drink from the cup of salvation.

In their hour of truth, they are like sheep in need of their Shepherd. I urge you to approach this understanding with the simplicity of a child, for children intuitively grasp these truths. Martin Luther recognized this clarity, stating, "A little child knows what the church is: the people who believe in Jesus." He also remarked, "A little child understands the meaning of the Commandments, and one who grasps their meaning knows more theology than the pope."

Trusting in Jesus: Childlike Faith and Doctrine

Think like a child and seek the greater meaning of the situation rather than mere facts. Consider your life in the context of a shepherd who feeds his people. What happens?

First, you will trust Jesus as He desires—as a child. There is no need to dissect or rationalize; simply trust. Second, you'll have vivid memories of Him. He will not be just an idea but a vital presence in your life—the Shepherd who nurtures and whose voice you long to hear. Third, every doctrine will fit flawlessly. A child walking in faith, hearing the Shepherd, understands everything God teaches. Luther summarizes, "Know the Commandments, understand all." Start with God rightly, and everything makes sense.

Jesus invites guests to dine His house. It is real—God's Word. People in need find comfort despite the fact the laws remain unchanged. They are not alone. They have the Shepherd and His gifts. These include righteousness through faith, security in His dwelling, and nourishment from Him. The food is the bread of life, the Shepherd's miraculous feast—His body and blood sacrificed for you.

These are the fundamentals of your faith. Treasure them as a child does. When you return to a society enamored with raw facts, understand that the world is misled. You have reality—the foundation of Christianity. Let us give thanks to God in Christ, who teaches correctly. Let us pray to Him to keep us in this faith and shape our lives in His name. Amen.