OurRisenShepherdEzek34
Series: Easter Season - Old Testament Sermons
May 04, 2025
Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
Misercordias Domini, The Third Sunday Of Easter 4-May-2025 Sermon Text: Ezekiel 34:11-16 Sermon Theme: Our Risen Shepherd! I. He Rescues! (Vs.11-12) II. He Restores! (Vs.13-14) III. He Reclaims! (Vs.15-16) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
Episode Notes
Misercordias Domini, The Third Sunday Of Easter 4-May-2025
Sermon Text: Ezekiel 34:11-16
Sermon Theme: Our Risen Shepherd! I. He Rescues! (Vs.11-12) II. He Restores! (Vs.13-14) III. He Reclaims! (Vs.15-16) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. “Alleluia! Christ is Risen!” Who is the first “shepherd” in the historically accurate record of the Holy Bible? In Genesis 4 history records, Gen 4:2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.” Taking a step back in history. When the Lord God formed Adam from the earth’s clay and breathed into him the breath of life, making us body and soul creations in His image, He called Adam to tend and keep the garden our Lord planted. Seeing that it was not good for man to be alone, the Lord God formed every beast of the field and herded them to Adam to see what he would name them. So it would seem from the beginning that the Lord God, specifically the second person of the Trinity - God’s only begotten Son, not only was the Gardener but also the Shepherd of creation. He called Adam and his wife to follow Him in being gardeners of Eden and caretakers of God’s creatures on this earth.
God the Holy Spirit teaches us to sing through the shepherd David, Psa 23:1-3 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (2) He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. (3) He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.” The True Shepherd tends, protects, leads, and feeds His flock. He doesn’t starve and slaughter them for his own gain.
A rebellious fallen angel strove into Eden masquerading as a serpent shepherd. Satan’s pride pretends that he can be god aping his Creator, but he is a liar and murderer from the beginning. The serpent’s lies fueled our first parent’s desire for power and control. Turning them inward to trust their feelings above the clear loving Word of their Creator. The false shepherd Satan led them down the thorny desert path of distrust, doubt, sin, and death. Chaining them in sin and the fear of death to himself - the devil drained their soul’s dry - leading them in the path of corruption to capture them for the hell God prepared for the devil and his angels.
In Adam’s fall we all became sheep going astray. Our Good Shepherd didn’t abandon our first parents to the wolf in sheep’s clothing. Instead of letting them run captive with the devil - He came seeking His lost little lambs. He called them by name. Called them to be honest. Called them to back to Himself through the Promise of the Shepherd Seed of the Virgin mother - the Head Crusher of Satan. When Abel the shepherd was murdered by his brother for following Jesus by faith. The Lord God raised up another male seed - Seth. History records, Gen 4:26 And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD. From faithful Seth true shepherds - preachers of the Promise of Jesus sounded forth the “name of the Lord.”
Satan from his rebellion against God and defeat being cast out of heaven sends forth false spiritual shepherds. False shepherds turn you away from God’s written Word to trust in your own desires, your own wisdom, your own feelings, your own strength. Cain’s false worship justified murder. The truth is, “Where Christ Jesus erects His Church - the devil erects a chapel.”
Fast forward in the history of Abraham’s descendants. The Lord God shepherded the patriarchs throughout all their journeys in Canaan. He shepherded them to Egypt preserving them through famine by Joseph. He delivered and shepherd them from four centuries of slavery by the hand of Moses - a man who for half his life served his father-in-law as a shepherd. Shepherded to the promised land and led in by the hand of Joshua. The people of Israel were shepherded by prophets, priests, and judges preaching God’s Word of Promise. Rejecting God they demanded a king like other nations, not a shepherd. Their first king, a donkey herder, failed through disobedience to God’s command. The Lord God called another king after His own heart - the shepherd David. He promised the repentant sinner shepherd - David that from his descendants the True Shepherd would be born - David’s son, yet David’s Lord.
The straying sheep of the children of Israel continued wandering away from their Good Shepherd. The nation flock was split. In 722B.C. the Assyrian empire scattered the northern nation of Israel. In 587B.C. the Babylonians took the southern flock of Judah into captivity.
Six years before the final fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonian empire, our Lord God called the priest Ezekiel to be His prophet and shepherd His exiled flock in Babylon - taken captive in the first deportation. Now in chapter 34 the Lord God preaches against false shepherds.Eze 34:2-5 "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? (3) You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. (4) The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. (5) So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered.” False shepherds lead people from the True and Only Shepherd - Christ Jesus! Dear little lambs - rejoice always in: Our Risen Shepherd! I. He Rescues! (Vs.11-12) II. He Restores! (Vs.13-14) III. He Reclaims! (Vs.15-16)
I. Who is the Head of the Christian Church on earth? It is not a man chosen by his colleges who is mortal. It is the Man who died and is alive - never to die again! God the Holy Spirit testifies, Eph 1:22-23 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, (23) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. And again, Eph 5:23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.” King Jesus appoints no man to be vicar of His Church on earth. He shepherds His Church through His written Word - the Holy Bible, by men He calls and sends to preach only His Word and to administer His sacraments according to His command.
Hear the voice of the Good Shepherd! (Vs.11) Yahweh Elohim - the Lord God speaks - He is the Truth! He alone searches for His lost sheep. He seeks them out sending forth His Word! “Repent!” “Believe this good news!” “You don’t find Him - He has found you!” “You didn’t choose Him - God the Father choose you in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world! God the Holy Spirit calls you by the Gospel to cling to Jesus in this one True Faith!
Our Good Shepherd didn’t begin the rescue and leave the rest up to you. He is no hireling, abandoning His sheep to the wolf - the devil, the world, and yes your own sinful self. Hear His promise to you! (Vs.12) He seeks you out! No matter how you’ve exiled yourself into the dark recesses of sin. He will not abandon you! The Good Shepherd - humbles Himself - to become one with your sheepishness. Our straying - our iniquity - the Lord God lays on Him - all of it! Behold, the Good Shepherd on Calvary - He is the Lamb of God taking away the sin of the world - all your sins - all your darkness is poured out on His own innocent flesh. There He took your just judgement into Himself - forsaken by His Father FOR YOU! To rescue you from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil. His holy precious blood washes away all your sins. He rescues you by His Holy Spirit daily and richly forgiving you all your sins in this Christian Church - the fruit of His cross! Rejoice the Good Shepherd died for you! You are rescued!
II. This was the plan of our Triune God from eternity. He would not let Satan steal creation from Him by rebellion, sin, corruption, and death. Hear the Good Shepherd! Joh 10:15-18 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. (16) And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. (17) "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. (18) No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."
Good Friday wasn’t accidental. On the day the Lord God created man in Eden - He recreated us on Calvary by the sacrifice of our Shepherd! Jesus obeyed the Father’s will - freely sacrificing Himself FOR YOU! After His Sabbath rest in the tomb - the day God rested from His work- He rose to declare us - “very good” by His crucified and risen flesh and blood!
Hear His restoration! (Vs13) You are here, for our Risen Shepherd gathered you sending forth His Word by His prophets, apostles, evangelists, and preachers. We don’t gather to hear a preacher - we gather to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd. All human preachers are fallible hirelings - don’t allow Satan to keep you from being fed by Jesus because of the personality of the man He sends to shepherd you through His Word and feed you on His Sacraments.
Here within this Christian Church - Mount Zion - He feeds you His forgiveness, life, and salvation in His Word, baptism, absolution, preaching, and the Lord’s Supper. (Vs.14) He alone feeds us in the good pasture of His Word. He speaks peace -forgiving all your sin! You lie down in peace - rest in Jesus alone! Hear Him! Joh 10:27-30 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (28) And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. (29) My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. (30) I and My Father are one."
III. Our Good Shepherd Jesus didn’t build His Church upon Peter, but upon His confession - that Jesus is the Christ - the Son of the Living God. This wasn’t Peter’s idea but was revealed to him by God the Father through the Holy Spirit as Jesus preached God’s Word.
Rejoice! Christ Jesus our risen Shepherd reclaims us daily to be His own living under Him in His Kingdom! (Vs.15-16) We following Him clothed in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness - this is all the gift of our Good Shepherd, who lives, and was dead, and behold He lives forevermore! Hear Him! Rev 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." Our Risen Shepherd feeds His little flock - present where only two or three gather in His Name. He chases you with His goodness and mercy all the days of your life - reclaiming you - as He called denying Peter back to Himself - the Shepherd and Overseer (Bishop) of our souls.
Rejoice! Our Risen Shepherd walks with you through this dark shadowy valley of death- reclaiming you always for the life of the world to come! Feasting you in the fortress of His Church - until He brings you through death, and the grave, to the eternal Easter feast - the resurrection of your body and the life of the world to come! Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Amen.
Sermon Text: Ezekiel 34:11-16
Sermon Theme: Our Risen Shepherd! I. He Rescues! (Vs.11-12) II. He Restores! (Vs.13-14) III. He Reclaims! (Vs.15-16) by Rev. Nathan J. Rusert
I.N.R.I. “Alleluia! Christ is Risen!” Who is the first “shepherd” in the historically accurate record of the Holy Bible? In Genesis 4 history records, Gen 4:2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.” Taking a step back in history. When the Lord God formed Adam from the earth’s clay and breathed into him the breath of life, making us body and soul creations in His image, He called Adam to tend and keep the garden our Lord planted. Seeing that it was not good for man to be alone, the Lord God formed every beast of the field and herded them to Adam to see what he would name them. So it would seem from the beginning that the Lord God, specifically the second person of the Trinity - God’s only begotten Son, not only was the Gardener but also the Shepherd of creation. He called Adam and his wife to follow Him in being gardeners of Eden and caretakers of God’s creatures on this earth.
God the Holy Spirit teaches us to sing through the shepherd David, Psa 23:1-3 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (2) He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. (3) He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.” The True Shepherd tends, protects, leads, and feeds His flock. He doesn’t starve and slaughter them for his own gain.
A rebellious fallen angel strove into Eden masquerading as a serpent shepherd. Satan’s pride pretends that he can be god aping his Creator, but he is a liar and murderer from the beginning. The serpent’s lies fueled our first parent’s desire for power and control. Turning them inward to trust their feelings above the clear loving Word of their Creator. The false shepherd Satan led them down the thorny desert path of distrust, doubt, sin, and death. Chaining them in sin and the fear of death to himself - the devil drained their soul’s dry - leading them in the path of corruption to capture them for the hell God prepared for the devil and his angels.
In Adam’s fall we all became sheep going astray. Our Good Shepherd didn’t abandon our first parents to the wolf in sheep’s clothing. Instead of letting them run captive with the devil - He came seeking His lost little lambs. He called them by name. Called them to be honest. Called them to back to Himself through the Promise of the Shepherd Seed of the Virgin mother - the Head Crusher of Satan. When Abel the shepherd was murdered by his brother for following Jesus by faith. The Lord God raised up another male seed - Seth. History records, Gen 4:26 And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD. From faithful Seth true shepherds - preachers of the Promise of Jesus sounded forth the “name of the Lord.”
Satan from his rebellion against God and defeat being cast out of heaven sends forth false spiritual shepherds. False shepherds turn you away from God’s written Word to trust in your own desires, your own wisdom, your own feelings, your own strength. Cain’s false worship justified murder. The truth is, “Where Christ Jesus erects His Church - the devil erects a chapel.”
Fast forward in the history of Abraham’s descendants. The Lord God shepherded the patriarchs throughout all their journeys in Canaan. He shepherded them to Egypt preserving them through famine by Joseph. He delivered and shepherd them from four centuries of slavery by the hand of Moses - a man who for half his life served his father-in-law as a shepherd. Shepherded to the promised land and led in by the hand of Joshua. The people of Israel were shepherded by prophets, priests, and judges preaching God’s Word of Promise. Rejecting God they demanded a king like other nations, not a shepherd. Their first king, a donkey herder, failed through disobedience to God’s command. The Lord God called another king after His own heart - the shepherd David. He promised the repentant sinner shepherd - David that from his descendants the True Shepherd would be born - David’s son, yet David’s Lord.
The straying sheep of the children of Israel continued wandering away from their Good Shepherd. The nation flock was split. In 722B.C. the Assyrian empire scattered the northern nation of Israel. In 587B.C. the Babylonians took the southern flock of Judah into captivity.
Six years before the final fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonian empire, our Lord God called the priest Ezekiel to be His prophet and shepherd His exiled flock in Babylon - taken captive in the first deportation. Now in chapter 34 the Lord God preaches against false shepherds.Eze 34:2-5 "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? (3) You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. (4) The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. (5) So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered.” False shepherds lead people from the True and Only Shepherd - Christ Jesus! Dear little lambs - rejoice always in: Our Risen Shepherd! I. He Rescues! (Vs.11-12) II. He Restores! (Vs.13-14) III. He Reclaims! (Vs.15-16)
I. Who is the Head of the Christian Church on earth? It is not a man chosen by his colleges who is mortal. It is the Man who died and is alive - never to die again! God the Holy Spirit testifies, Eph 1:22-23 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, (23) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. And again, Eph 5:23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.” King Jesus appoints no man to be vicar of His Church on earth. He shepherds His Church through His written Word - the Holy Bible, by men He calls and sends to preach only His Word and to administer His sacraments according to His command.
Hear the voice of the Good Shepherd! (Vs.11) Yahweh Elohim - the Lord God speaks - He is the Truth! He alone searches for His lost sheep. He seeks them out sending forth His Word! “Repent!” “Believe this good news!” “You don’t find Him - He has found you!” “You didn’t choose Him - God the Father choose you in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world! God the Holy Spirit calls you by the Gospel to cling to Jesus in this one True Faith!
Our Good Shepherd didn’t begin the rescue and leave the rest up to you. He is no hireling, abandoning His sheep to the wolf - the devil, the world, and yes your own sinful self. Hear His promise to you! (Vs.12) He seeks you out! No matter how you’ve exiled yourself into the dark recesses of sin. He will not abandon you! The Good Shepherd - humbles Himself - to become one with your sheepishness. Our straying - our iniquity - the Lord God lays on Him - all of it! Behold, the Good Shepherd on Calvary - He is the Lamb of God taking away the sin of the world - all your sins - all your darkness is poured out on His own innocent flesh. There He took your just judgement into Himself - forsaken by His Father FOR YOU! To rescue you from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil. His holy precious blood washes away all your sins. He rescues you by His Holy Spirit daily and richly forgiving you all your sins in this Christian Church - the fruit of His cross! Rejoice the Good Shepherd died for you! You are rescued!
II. This was the plan of our Triune God from eternity. He would not let Satan steal creation from Him by rebellion, sin, corruption, and death. Hear the Good Shepherd! Joh 10:15-18 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. (16) And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. (17) "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. (18) No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."
Good Friday wasn’t accidental. On the day the Lord God created man in Eden - He recreated us on Calvary by the sacrifice of our Shepherd! Jesus obeyed the Father’s will - freely sacrificing Himself FOR YOU! After His Sabbath rest in the tomb - the day God rested from His work- He rose to declare us - “very good” by His crucified and risen flesh and blood!
Hear His restoration! (Vs13) You are here, for our Risen Shepherd gathered you sending forth His Word by His prophets, apostles, evangelists, and preachers. We don’t gather to hear a preacher - we gather to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd. All human preachers are fallible hirelings - don’t allow Satan to keep you from being fed by Jesus because of the personality of the man He sends to shepherd you through His Word and feed you on His Sacraments.
Here within this Christian Church - Mount Zion - He feeds you His forgiveness, life, and salvation in His Word, baptism, absolution, preaching, and the Lord’s Supper. (Vs.14) He alone feeds us in the good pasture of His Word. He speaks peace -forgiving all your sin! You lie down in peace - rest in Jesus alone! Hear Him! Joh 10:27-30 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (28) And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. (29) My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. (30) I and My Father are one."
III. Our Good Shepherd Jesus didn’t build His Church upon Peter, but upon His confession - that Jesus is the Christ - the Son of the Living God. This wasn’t Peter’s idea but was revealed to him by God the Father through the Holy Spirit as Jesus preached God’s Word.
Rejoice! Christ Jesus our risen Shepherd reclaims us daily to be His own living under Him in His Kingdom! (Vs.15-16) We following Him clothed in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness - this is all the gift of our Good Shepherd, who lives, and was dead, and behold He lives forevermore! Hear Him! Rev 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." Our Risen Shepherd feeds His little flock - present where only two or three gather in His Name. He chases you with His goodness and mercy all the days of your life - reclaiming you - as He called denying Peter back to Himself - the Shepherd and Overseer (Bishop) of our souls.
Rejoice! Our Risen Shepherd walks with you through this dark shadowy valley of death- reclaiming you always for the life of the world to come! Feasting you in the fortress of His Church - until He brings you through death, and the grave, to the eternal Easter feast - the resurrection of your body and the life of the world to come! Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Amen.
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