WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.620 Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church and it's my joy to bring God's word to you today. 00:00:08.939 --> 00:00:12.300 Special welcome if you're new or visiting with us. We're glad that you're here. 00:00:12.960 --> 00:00:19.320 And we're glad that you're here not because we're trying to fill seats, but because we're following Jesus together as one community. 00:00:19.500 --> 00:00:27.580 And as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced there's no one so good they don't need God's grace and no one so bad they can't have it. 00:00:27.579 --> 00:00:33.479 Which is why we come back week after week. And as Jim mentioned, we do the same things over and over. 00:00:33.560 --> 00:00:39.099 We sing praises. We study God's word because we believe he has something to say to everyone. 00:00:40.039 --> 00:00:47.679 We are now in the second week of Advent. And you'll remember that Advent comes from the Latin word, which means to come or to arrive. 00:00:48.159 --> 00:00:53.939 And so during the season of Advent, we take a special focus on Jesus coming or arriving to the earth. 00:00:53.939 --> 00:00:58.359 And of course, we do two things. Remember, we celebrate what's happened in the past. 00:00:58.460 --> 00:01:01.259 Jesus has already come. So we sing songs like joy to the world. 00:01:01.899 --> 00:01:07.640 We don't just celebrate what's come in the past. However, we look forward to and we long for what's going to come in the future. 00:01:07.799 --> 00:01:11.599 So we sing longing songs as well, like, oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel. 00:01:12.019 --> 00:01:16.200 And when we do that, we are really doing what we do in all of the Christian life throughout all the year, 00:01:16.259 --> 00:01:18.479 which is that we celebrate what God's done in the past. 00:01:18.480 --> 00:01:21.960 We look forward to what he will do in the future. 00:01:23.040 --> 00:01:28.120 And that allows us to wait and live faithfully now in the present. 00:01:29.219 --> 00:01:33.200 And so it's for the season of Advent that we are in the book of Zechariah. 00:01:33.579 --> 00:01:37.120 I invite you to turn there with me now. We're in Zechariah chapter 11. 00:01:37.219 --> 00:01:40.960 You can find it in your worship guide or in your Bible or on your phone. 00:01:40.959 --> 00:01:49.379 And you'll remember that the book of Zechariah tells us what comes from a man named Zechariah who was a prophet to the nation of Israel during the sixth century. 00:01:50.019 --> 00:01:52.599 The book of Zechariah is a collection of his prophecies. 00:01:53.119 --> 00:01:57.319 And he prophesied to the nation of Israel after their return from exile in Babylon. 00:01:57.539 --> 00:02:00.060 Remember, they'd been exiled to the nation of Babylon. 00:02:00.899 --> 00:02:03.739 And then in 539, Persia defeats Babylon. 00:02:03.919 --> 00:02:05.780 And in 538, they're allowed to return. 00:02:06.419 --> 00:02:09.799 And so it's at that time that Zechariah is prophesying to them. 00:02:09.800 --> 00:02:14.820 And just like if there was a collection of sermons from a preacher, there would be a variety of topics. 00:02:15.600 --> 00:02:19.000 So a collection of prophecies, there's going to be a variety of topics as well. 00:02:19.080 --> 00:02:21.240 So the book of Zechariah covers a variety of things. 00:02:21.660 --> 00:02:24.880 In chapters 9 through 13, the chapters we're looking at this month, 00:02:24.920 --> 00:02:29.040 it's going to tell us about the coming kingdom of God or the future kingdom of God. 00:02:29.080 --> 00:02:32.840 And you'll remember last week, we looked at the coming king. 00:02:32.939 --> 00:02:36.080 We had this question from chapter 9, this command to rejoice. 00:02:36.180 --> 00:02:39.460 And we asked, how can we obey this hard command? 00:02:39.460 --> 00:02:41.219 How is it that we can actually rejoice? 00:02:41.900 --> 00:02:46.040 We saw that we rejoice because Jesus comes as a king on a donkey. 00:02:46.460 --> 00:02:48.420 And so that tells us that he's a humble king. 00:02:48.900 --> 00:02:50.980 It also tells us he's a peaceful king. 00:02:51.879 --> 00:02:53.960 And so remember, we can be excited. 00:02:54.140 --> 00:02:58.659 We rejoice looking forward to him coming back with our noses pressed up to the glass. 00:02:58.659 --> 00:03:06.099 This week, we're going to see not Jesus as our coming king, but Jesus as our coming shepherd. 00:03:06.439 --> 00:03:14.359 We're not looking at his worldwide rule, but instead his care and concern for us, his pursuit of us in the face of opposition, 00:03:14.500 --> 00:03:16.240 including opposition from us ourselves. 00:03:16.240 --> 00:03:22.040 As we come to Advent, sometimes I think of it in this way. 00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:28.439 You know, there's, when you are watching the TV, right, you see a variety of advertisements that show up over and over again. 00:03:28.520 --> 00:03:31.920 And so you might see an advertisement the first time and you think, man, that's really funny. 00:03:31.960 --> 00:03:32.820 You might laugh at it. 00:03:32.819 --> 00:03:35.560 And then you see it the second time. 00:03:36.419 --> 00:03:37.919 And then you see it the third time. 00:03:38.659 --> 00:03:39.859 The fourth and the fifth time. 00:03:39.919 --> 00:03:42.019 You're probably not laughing at it as much anymore, right? 00:03:42.599 --> 00:03:43.719 At this point, it's old. 00:03:43.799 --> 00:03:44.879 You're waiting for it to get over. 00:03:46.239 --> 00:03:49.740 If we're honest, some of us might feel that way about Christmas. 00:03:50.519 --> 00:03:51.799 We might feel that way about Advent. 00:03:51.939 --> 00:03:56.799 While it was exciting at one time, now it comes over and over and over again. 00:03:56.840 --> 00:03:58.459 We've heard the same things before. 00:03:59.159 --> 00:04:00.799 We've sung the same songs before. 00:04:01.479 --> 00:04:02.359 This is old. 00:04:03.819 --> 00:04:10.500 What if, however, we had Advent less as a commercial that repeated over and over and more like a glass of water? 00:04:11.819 --> 00:04:13.459 We drink it every day, right? 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:15.219 You don't get tired of it. 00:04:15.319 --> 00:04:19.300 You don't think, man, it's been a lot of, just a lot of weeks I've been drinking water. 00:04:20.980 --> 00:04:22.000 No, you need it. 00:04:22.060 --> 00:04:23.060 It's what gives you life. 00:04:23.120 --> 00:04:24.279 It's what keeps you alive. 00:04:24.719 --> 00:04:27.079 It's something that you come back to over and over again. 00:04:27.079 --> 00:04:31.639 And my hope for us, as we go through the book of Zechariah and as we walk through Advent together, 00:04:31.639 --> 00:04:38.419 that we would see the good news of Jesus, less like a commercial that repeats that we become numb to, 00:04:39.060 --> 00:04:42.899 and more like the glass of water that we need every single day. 00:04:43.240 --> 00:04:46.879 And so it's for that reason that we asked the question last week, why do we rejoice? 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:51.139 And in some ways, we'll keep asking that question, even though the command is not in this passage. 00:04:51.560 --> 00:04:58.019 We saw how Jesus is our king, gives us joy, gives us something to look forward to and to long for. 00:04:58.639 --> 00:05:01.699 And now we're going to do the same thing with Jesus as our shepherd. 00:05:01.699 --> 00:05:06.360 And so we're going to read now Zechariah chapter 11, starting at verse 4. 00:05:06.439 --> 00:05:08.740 And remember, as we come to this, that this is God's word. 00:05:09.939 --> 00:05:13.579 And God tells us that his word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, 00:05:13.620 --> 00:05:17.339 which means that God has not left us to stumble alone in the dark, 00:05:17.579 --> 00:05:21.240 but instead he's given us his word to show us the way to go. 00:05:21.319 --> 00:05:24.019 And so that's why we read now, starting at verse 4. 00:05:24.019 --> 00:05:26.799 Thus said the Lord my God, 00:05:27.519 --> 00:05:30.079 Become shepherd of the flock doomed to slaughter. 00:05:30.879 --> 00:05:33.620 Those who buy them slaughter them and go unpunished. 00:05:34.199 --> 00:05:36.819 And those who sell them say, Blessed be the Lord. 00:05:37.419 --> 00:05:41.479 I have become rich, and their own shepherds have no pity on them. 00:05:42.359 --> 00:05:46.759 For I will no longer have pity on the inhabitants of this land, declares the Lord. 00:05:47.359 --> 00:05:50.879 Behold, I will cause each of them to fall into the hand of his neighbor, 00:05:51.479 --> 00:05:52.979 and each into the hand of his king. 00:05:52.980 --> 00:05:58.280 And they shall crush the land, and I will deliver none from their hand. 00:05:59.240 --> 00:05:59.840 Verse 7. 00:06:00.720 --> 00:06:04.379 So I became the shepherd of the flock doomed to be slaughtered by the sheep traders. 00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:05.980 And I took two staffs. 00:06:06.840 --> 00:06:09.640 One I named Favor, the other I named Union. 00:06:10.400 --> 00:06:11.540 And I tended the sheep. 00:06:12.280 --> 00:06:14.819 In one month I destroyed the three shepherds. 00:06:15.080 --> 00:06:18.540 But I became impatient with them, and they also detested me. 00:06:19.140 --> 00:06:21.460 So I said, I will not be your shepherd. 00:06:21.459 --> 00:06:23.799 What is to die, let it die. 00:06:24.439 --> 00:06:27.039 What is to be destroyed, let it be destroyed. 00:06:27.719 --> 00:06:30.939 And let those who are left devour the flesh of one another. 00:06:31.579 --> 00:06:37.579 And I took my staff, Favor, and I broke it, annulling the covenant that I had made with all the peoples. 00:06:37.579 --> 00:06:44.099 So it was annulled on that day, and the sheep traders who were watching me knew that it was the word of the Lord. 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:46.159 Verse 12. 00:06:46.160 --> 00:06:50.260 Then I said to them, If it seems good to you, give me my wages. 00:06:50.460 --> 00:06:51.540 But if not, keep them. 00:06:52.220 --> 00:06:55.100 And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver. 00:06:56.040 --> 00:07:01.900 Then the Lord said to me, Throw it to the potter, the lordly price at which I was priced by them. 00:07:02.620 --> 00:07:06.879 So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord to the potter. 00:07:06.879 --> 00:07:13.139 Then I broke my second staff union, annulling the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. 00:07:14.139 --> 00:07:14.980 Verse 15. 00:07:14.980 --> 00:07:19.780 Then the Lord said to me, Take once more the equipment of a foolish shepherd. 00:07:20.500 --> 00:07:25.759 For behold, I am raising up in the land a shepherd who does not care for those being destroyed, 00:07:26.420 --> 00:07:29.759 or seek the young, or heal the maimed, or nourish the healthy, 00:07:30.319 --> 00:07:34.960 but devours the flesh of the fat ones, tearing off even their hooves. 00:07:36.060 --> 00:07:38.840 Woe to my worthless shepherd who deserts the flock. 00:07:39.460 --> 00:07:42.200 May the sword strike his arm and his right eye. 00:07:42.199 --> 00:07:48.240 Let his arm be wholly withered, his right eye utterly blinded. 00:07:49.560 --> 00:07:52.659 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:07:54.899 --> 00:07:59.379 Our Father in heaven, we thank you again that you have spoken to us, 00:07:59.480 --> 00:08:04.099 and you've done it in words that we can understand, not in a foreign language. 00:08:04.639 --> 00:08:09.339 And Father, we ask that you would do that now this morning, that you would speak to us, 00:08:09.339 --> 00:08:16.060 and we ask that you would stir up our hearts, that we would hear the good news about Jesus. 00:08:16.699 --> 00:08:19.219 As our shepherd who has come and who is to come, 00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:23.139 and it would not wash over us and find us numb, 00:08:23.779 --> 00:08:28.459 but instead it would cause us to rejoice and to look forward to you, 00:08:29.279 --> 00:08:31.199 when you will make all things right. 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:35.500 We ask these things grateful that we don't have to earn them, 00:08:35.559 --> 00:08:37.240 but we can ask them in Jesus' name. 00:08:37.980 --> 00:08:38.220 Amen. 00:08:41.299 --> 00:08:44.299 If you are anything like my family, 00:08:44.539 --> 00:08:49.019 you have a repertoire of Christmas movies that you watch every season, 00:08:49.580 --> 00:08:50.720 over and over, 00:08:51.179 --> 00:08:53.139 and you probably have a top two or three. 00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:54.700 So in my family there's a variety. 00:08:54.779 --> 00:08:56.840 We have to watch Muppets Christmas Carol every year. 00:08:56.840 --> 00:08:59.840 Another one that has to be watched every year, 00:08:59.940 --> 00:09:01.980 and this is maybe my dad's favorite, 00:09:02.420 --> 00:09:03.360 or one of his favorites, 00:09:03.500 --> 00:09:05.000 and that's The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. 00:09:06.220 --> 00:09:08.700 Of course, you're familiar with the story of the green monster 00:09:08.700 --> 00:09:12.519 who tries to steal Christmas from the Who's down in Whoville. 00:09:13.160 --> 00:09:15.820 And if you know it, you know it's written by a man named Dr. Seuss. 00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:18.879 Of course, Dr. Seuss has written other stories as well, 00:09:18.980 --> 00:09:20.620 not just The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:23.080 but also books like this, 00:09:23.139 --> 00:09:24.019 Horton Hears a Who. 00:09:24.019 --> 00:09:26.879 Of course, Horton Hears a Who has that famous line, 00:09:26.960 --> 00:09:29.240 a person's a person, no matter how small. 00:09:30.399 --> 00:09:33.720 Dr. Seuss, however, did not just write nice stories. 00:09:34.500 --> 00:09:36.639 He actually meant many of his stories 00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:38.360 to have a political message to them. 00:09:39.319 --> 00:09:41.340 And so Horton Hears a Who, for example, 00:09:42.019 --> 00:09:44.220 it's been taken now by the pro-life movement, 00:09:44.460 --> 00:09:47.299 but at the time he wrote it in response 00:09:47.299 --> 00:09:50.120 to the way the United States had treated the country of Japan, 00:09:50.220 --> 00:09:51.759 both during World War II and after. 00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:54.799 There's one political message. 00:09:54.939 --> 00:09:57.840 Of course, Dr. Seuss also wrote another book called Yertle the Turtle. 00:09:58.759 --> 00:09:59.819 And if you're familiar with this, 00:09:59.879 --> 00:10:03.439 you know that Yertle is a turtle who longs for more power. 00:10:03.919 --> 00:10:06.559 So he's not satisfied just to rule over the pond. 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:07.919 He wants a bigger throne, 00:10:08.600 --> 00:10:12.360 so he makes all the other turtles pile on top of each other 00:10:12.360 --> 00:10:14.279 so he can get up as high as he can. 00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:15.799 Of course, he's crushing all of them down. 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:16.899 Do you know the story? 00:10:16.899 --> 00:10:19.000 You know our great hero, Mack the Turtle, 00:10:19.559 --> 00:10:20.879 comes in to save the day. 00:10:21.579 --> 00:10:25.000 He valiantly burps while he's on the pile of turtles, 00:10:25.139 --> 00:10:26.340 causing them all to tumble down. 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:29.179 What is Yertle the Turtle about? 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:30.620 Well, it's not about turtles. 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:33.139 It's actually about the rise of Hitler in Germany. 00:10:33.939 --> 00:10:36.059 So we learn something from Dr. Seuss, right? 00:10:36.059 --> 00:10:37.039 We have these stories. 00:10:37.179 --> 00:10:37.959 They're allegories. 00:10:38.079 --> 00:10:40.319 They're meant to make a separate point. 00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:41.120 It's a story, 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:44.100 and it tells us something that's actually true 00:10:44.100 --> 00:10:45.399 about the real world. 00:10:46.259 --> 00:10:48.960 We are looking at the same thing this morning. 00:10:49.259 --> 00:10:50.620 Zechariah, as a prophet, 00:10:51.139 --> 00:10:53.259 is going to tell us a story 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:56.700 that also reveals something true about the world. 00:10:56.759 --> 00:10:57.940 It's going to be a story 00:10:57.940 --> 00:11:02.019 not about the destruction of a small universe 00:11:02.019 --> 00:11:03.440 like in Horton Hears a Who, 00:11:04.060 --> 00:11:06.360 nor is it going to be a story about turtles 00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:07.480 grasping for power. 00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:12.659 Instead, it's going to be a story about sheep and shepherds. 00:11:12.700 --> 00:11:13.399 And in this story, 00:11:13.500 --> 00:11:16.039 the sheep are going to represent the nation of Israel. 00:11:16.360 --> 00:11:18.399 We're going to see a variety of shepherds 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:19.680 throughout this story. 00:11:20.259 --> 00:11:21.820 And so this is also, 00:11:21.960 --> 00:11:23.700 it's also an allegory. 00:11:24.039 --> 00:11:25.860 It's a story about sheep and shepherds 00:11:25.860 --> 00:11:28.620 that tell us something that's true about the world. 00:11:28.700 --> 00:11:29.779 And so we're going to jump right in. 00:11:29.860 --> 00:11:30.580 In verse four, 00:11:31.100 --> 00:11:34.340 we find out that God has given Zechariah 00:11:34.340 --> 00:11:36.480 this task of playing out this story, 00:11:36.480 --> 00:11:37.800 the story of the sheep and the shepherd. 00:11:37.860 --> 00:11:40.320 And he tells Zechariah to play out, 00:11:40.420 --> 00:11:41.659 to act out this role, 00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:43.500 become the shepherd of the flock, 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:44.180 doomed to slaughter. 00:11:44.340 --> 00:11:47.320 So Zechariah is going to play the part of a shepherd. 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:49.700 That is his role in the story. 00:11:49.899 --> 00:11:51.539 And we find out this flock, 00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:52.460 the nation of Israel, 00:11:52.519 --> 00:11:53.600 is doomed to destruction. 00:11:54.080 --> 00:11:56.360 And we're quickly told a couple of reasons 00:11:56.360 --> 00:11:57.879 why they're doomed to be destroyed. 00:11:58.659 --> 00:12:01.320 First, the shepherds that are over them 00:12:01.320 --> 00:12:03.220 are interested in using them 00:12:03.220 --> 00:12:04.820 rather than serving them. 00:12:04.820 --> 00:12:06.160 And we see that in verse five. 00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:09.080 They are meant for slaughter 00:12:09.080 --> 00:12:12.260 and they're used for wealth. 00:12:13.160 --> 00:12:14.680 These people who are over them say, 00:12:14.840 --> 00:12:15.440 blessed be the Lord, 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:16.340 I have become rich. 00:12:16.560 --> 00:12:18.500 And their own shepherds have no pity on them. 00:12:18.560 --> 00:12:19.200 In other words, 00:12:19.260 --> 00:12:20.540 the people who are meant to care 00:12:20.540 --> 00:12:21.500 for the nation of Israel 00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:23.260 are using those under them 00:12:23.260 --> 00:12:24.420 to profit and to gain. 00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:27.900 They don't care how hurt the sheep may become. 00:12:28.180 --> 00:12:30.240 They don't care whether the sheep are healthy. 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:32.919 All they care about is whether they're making money. 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:36.440 They are the opposite of the good shepherd 00:12:36.440 --> 00:12:38.379 that we're told about near the end of this passage. 00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:41.980 Remember, we're told in verse 16 about a good shepherd. 00:12:42.460 --> 00:12:44.659 The good shepherd cares for those being destroyed. 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:45.680 It seeks the young. 00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:46.639 It heals the maim. 00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:47.580 It nourishes the healthy. 00:12:48.779 --> 00:12:50.539 These shepherds are doing the opposite of that. 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:52.440 And so they're doomed to destruction 00:12:52.440 --> 00:12:54.659 because their leaders are terrible. 00:12:54.659 --> 00:12:57.939 They're doomed to destruction, however, 00:12:58.399 --> 00:13:00.419 for another reason. 00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:02.719 Verse 6, 00:13:03.659 --> 00:13:07.539 they're going to fall into the hands of their neighbors. 00:13:08.199 --> 00:13:11.620 So not only are the rulers out for gain, 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:13.919 those who are being ruled, 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:15.740 the neighbors are not caring for each other 00:13:15.740 --> 00:13:17.039 in the ways that they should. 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:20.100 Now there's a variety of suggestions 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:22.639 about what this play is representing here. 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:26.379 Some people suggest that it's about foreign and political alliances 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:28.620 that the rulers during the nation of Israel are undertaking. 00:13:29.100 --> 00:13:31.919 Some people think it's about everyday greed and oppression, 00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:34.460 just the taxes that these rulers are putting on their people. 00:13:35.299 --> 00:13:36.639 The understanding here, however, 00:13:36.759 --> 00:13:38.740 regardless of what the exact sin is, 00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:40.580 this is Israel before the exile. 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:44.460 Before God's people are exiled to Babylon, 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:47.000 first the northern kingdom in 722 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:49.240 and then the southern kingdom in 586, 00:13:49.240 --> 00:13:53.000 they are known for rejecting God as their shepherd 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:56.320 and they do it by exploiting one another 00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:57.840 rather than caring for one another. 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:01.799 And so God tells them in verse 6, 00:14:01.980 --> 00:14:04.320 this is why his judgment is coming. 00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:07.120 I will cause each of them to fall into the hand of his neighbor 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:09.019 and each into the hand of his king 00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:10.299 and they shall crush the land 00:14:10.299 --> 00:14:13.200 and I will deliver none from their hand. 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:18.980 In other words, this world is filled with bad shepherds. 00:14:21.040 --> 00:14:24.480 The nation of Israel had bad shepherds over them. 00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:26.759 They had people who were meant to care for them 00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:27.860 who used them instead. 00:14:28.840 --> 00:14:32.040 Not only is this true specifically of the nation of Israel, 00:14:32.160 --> 00:14:35.000 we know it's true of the world in general. 00:14:35.180 --> 00:14:38.080 There are shepherds who look to gain from their sheep 00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:39.320 rather than to serve them. 00:14:39.580 --> 00:14:42.020 Remember we talked last week about this problem 00:14:42.019 --> 00:14:44.220 that we've seen during the coronavirus crisis. 00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:46.279 People in varieties of places, 00:14:46.439 --> 00:14:47.840 rulers have decided there are rules 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:49.559 that apply to people under them. 00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:51.779 Those rules just don't apply to them. 00:14:52.919 --> 00:14:54.019 There are rulers who've seen 00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:56.919 this crisis is a time to gain for themselves 00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:59.299 rather than to serve from their people. 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:01.439 And so we see first of all here 00:15:01.439 --> 00:15:05.000 that God comes with judgment on bad shepherds. 00:15:05.059 --> 00:15:07.559 Here it's specifically Israel and her shepherds, 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:09.360 the ones that are taking advantage of her. 00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:13.360 And we know that since God's bringing justice, 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:15.879 remember last week from chapter nine, 00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:17.120 he's the king of righteousness, 00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:21.820 he is bringing judgment in general on all bad shepherds. 00:15:22.820 --> 00:15:23.980 And so for that reason, 00:15:24.100 --> 00:15:25.820 Zachariah continues this play. 00:15:25.919 --> 00:15:26.840 He does what he's told. 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:29.460 God's given us a preview of what's going to happen. 00:15:29.539 --> 00:15:31.080 I'm gonna make you a shepherd of the sheep. 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:31.899 They're doomed to slaughter. 00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:34.300 Verse seven, Zachariah actually does it. 00:15:34.340 --> 00:15:36.860 So he goes to become the shepherd of the sheep. 00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:39.860 And he takes two staffs. 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:40.940 This again is verse seven. 00:15:41.080 --> 00:15:43.899 One named favor, the other named union. 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:45.919 And he tells us there in those staffs, 00:15:45.940 --> 00:15:47.120 this was the tool of the shepherd 00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:48.560 that he'd use to care for the sheep. 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:51.180 What was supposed to characterize a good shepherd? 00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:54.899 Favor, this could also be translated as graciousness. 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:57.860 This was God's attitude towards his people. 00:15:58.440 --> 00:16:00.399 One of grace is how we talk about it now, 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:02.320 that God doesn't give us what we deserve. 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:06.200 And union, that there's this sense of unity among his people, 00:16:06.300 --> 00:16:07.500 that they're bound together. 00:16:07.640 --> 00:16:09.220 They're working towards one mission, 00:16:09.680 --> 00:16:11.000 looking out for each other 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:13.340 rather than looking to destroy each other. 00:16:13.400 --> 00:16:15.460 So the opposite of the evil shepherds, right? 00:16:16.440 --> 00:16:18.800 He has these two staffs here to represent 00:16:18.800 --> 00:16:21.160 the kind of rule that he's supposed to have. 00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:24.840 But these people reject him, 00:16:24.920 --> 00:16:27.060 the sheep that he's supposed to be caring after. 00:16:27.059 --> 00:16:29.599 And so we see in verses eight and nine, 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:33.739 the bad shepherds are taken down. 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:36.539 But verse nine, 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:39.739 Zechariah decides he's not going to be shepherd anymore. 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:43.199 They became impatient with him, verse eight, 00:16:43.959 --> 00:16:45.859 or he became impatient with them, verse eight. 00:16:45.939 --> 00:16:47.959 The end of verse eight, they also detested me. 00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:50.439 So the good shepherd is rejected. 00:16:52.739 --> 00:16:54.899 And we see the consequences of the rejection 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:55.699 of the good shepherd 00:16:55.700 --> 00:16:57.379 because these two staffs, 00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:59.080 favor and union are broken. 00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:01.660 So we see that in verses 10 and 14. 00:17:01.820 --> 00:17:04.759 Verse 10, favor is broken, 00:17:04.880 --> 00:17:05.680 annulling the covenant 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:06.960 that I have made with all the peoples. 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:08.440 This is a reference to the fact 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:11.380 that God allows his people to go into exile. 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.680 There's bad shepherds. 00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:15.160 God's judgment is coming for it. 00:17:16.340 --> 00:17:17.980 His covenant is broken because of it. 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:20.059 Broken, not in an ultimate final sense, 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:21.220 but broken in the sense 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:23.100 that his people experience the punishment 00:17:23.100 --> 00:17:25.240 that was promised if they didn't keep. 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:27.240 The commands given to them in the covenant. 00:17:27.900 --> 00:17:29.220 And then we see in verse 14, 00:17:29.380 --> 00:17:31.080 the unity staff is broken. 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:33.400 And we're told that this represents the bond 00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:34.620 between Judah and the north, 00:17:35.460 --> 00:17:37.640 and Israel, or Israel, the north, Judah, and the south. 00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:40.480 This is referring to the split in the kingdom of Israel, 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.279 the nation of Israel, 00:17:41.340 --> 00:17:42.960 between the northern and the southern kingdom 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:44.680 in 930 BC. 00:17:45.400 --> 00:17:46.120 In other words, 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:48.420 God brings his judgment on his people 00:17:48.420 --> 00:17:49.759 because they will not keep his covenant. 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:53.519 Now, that might seem like a lot of explanation 00:17:53.519 --> 00:17:54.259 and a lot of dates. 00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:55.900 Remember the point, first of all, 00:17:56.359 --> 00:17:58.539 was that we live in a world filled with bad shepherds. 00:18:00.140 --> 00:18:03.339 The second point is a little bit counterintuitive. 00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:06.759 Of course, we know that we live in a world 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.539 with bad shepherds. 00:18:07.640 --> 00:18:09.740 Of course, we know that rulers are out 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:11.240 for their own interests and not ours. 00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:14.339 That is something we can all get behind, right? 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:20.200 The second point is a little bit harder to get behind. 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:25.319 The world is not only filled with bad shepherds, 00:18:25.880 --> 00:18:30.839 the world also rejects good shepherds. 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:35.700 The world is not only filled with bad shepherds, 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:38.620 the world rejects good shepherds 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:42.179 just like Israel rejected God. 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:46.639 And so that's the rub of this passage, right? 00:18:46.639 --> 00:18:48.979 We can all cheer and get behind the idea 00:18:48.979 --> 00:18:50.500 that there are bad rulers in the world. 00:18:51.419 --> 00:18:53.739 The problem is there are also bad sheep. 00:18:55.959 --> 00:18:59.000 We would think that if there was a perfect ruler, 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:00.919 we would cheer and celebrate. 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:03.779 Describing this passage, one person says this, 00:19:03.879 --> 00:19:06.259 it is often assumed that if a country 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:08.599 were to find a ruler totally dedicated 00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:09.899 to the good of his people, 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:12.639 who would rid the land of injustice 00:19:12.639 --> 00:19:15.319 and encourage all that makes for harmony, 00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:17.819 peace and happiness would prevail. 00:19:18.919 --> 00:19:22.480 One insight of this prophet, meaning Zechariah, 00:19:22.939 --> 00:19:26.419 is that such a ruler would not only not be welcomed, 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:30.339 but he would be positively hated and rejected. 00:19:32.179 --> 00:19:34.279 Of course, we're told the same thing about Jesus 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:35.359 in the book of Isaiah. 00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:38.240 We're told he's one who is deeply despised. 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:42.519 And so it's confirming for us 00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:45.019 to hear that there are bad shepherds. 00:19:45.139 --> 00:19:46.959 It's also convicting and challenging 00:19:46.959 --> 00:19:49.559 to hear that good shepherds in this world 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:51.219 are hated and despised. 00:19:52.659 --> 00:19:54.740 Both things are true. 00:19:55.659 --> 00:19:57.439 And so that highlights a principle for us 00:19:57.439 --> 00:19:59.639 that we see more and more in this world, 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:01.099 which is that we are tempted 00:20:01.099 --> 00:20:04.539 to blame our leaders for all of our problems. 00:20:06.179 --> 00:20:07.839 Problem with that is that politics 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:09.279 is downstream of culture. 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:13.319 And so our leaders reflect us 00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:15.139 as much as they rule us. 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:19.079 Do you have a narcissistic ruler? 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:23.240 I'll show you a narcissistic country. 00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:27.779 Do you have a ruler who lies? 00:20:29.179 --> 00:20:31.559 I'll show you a country that hates the truth. 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:35.619 As much as we hate to admit it, 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:38.879 people get the rulers they deserve. 00:20:39.379 --> 00:20:41.859 Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, 00:20:42.059 --> 00:20:43.439 we can probably all agree 00:20:43.439 --> 00:20:46.220 that politicians are getting worse and worse. 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:48.140 Why? 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:51.579 Bible would remind us 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:54.480 because we are getting worse and worse. 00:20:55.600 --> 00:20:58.920 It's not just that we have bad shepherds in this world. 00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:01.400 It's that we also hate good shepherds. 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:04.819 It's one thing to talk about 00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:06.880 how much we long for justice 00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:10.259 until a leader tells us something 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:11.120 we don't want to hear. 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:16.500 It's easy to talk about 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:19.839 how much we want people in need to be cared for 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:22.459 until that means we have to lose something. 00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:27.959 Good leaders are often not loved, 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:29.179 but rejected. 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:31.319 That's what we see here in this passage. 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:33.259 God was ruling his people 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:35.779 as the best shepherd they could ever have, 00:21:36.719 --> 00:21:38.259 and yet they rejected him. 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:43.480 And so that's where we see 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:45.740 what happens next in this story. 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:47.160 God's people have rejected him, 00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:47.940 the good shepherd. 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:50.259 Verse 15, he tells Zechariah, 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:53.660 okay, you're going to play one more shepherd. 00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:55.900 Remember I told you the sheep are the nation of Israel? 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:57.160 We're going to have multiple shepherds. 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:58.319 We have the good shepherd. 00:21:59.019 --> 00:22:00.480 We have the shepherds who are selfish. 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:02.819 Now we're going to have this foolish shepherd, 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.660 verse 15. 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:07.300 And this shepherd is going to devour the flesh 00:22:07.300 --> 00:22:08.060 of the fat ones, 00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:09.519 tearing off even their hooves. 00:22:09.560 --> 00:22:10.019 In other words, 00:22:10.120 --> 00:22:12.860 this shepherd is going to destroy the sheep 00:22:12.860 --> 00:22:14.440 rather than care for the sheep. 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:22.400 And so that brings us back to our question, right? 00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:24.880 Why are we rejoicing in Jesus as shepherd? 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:27.580 Why is it that it's this passage of Zechariah 00:22:27.580 --> 00:22:28.380 that we're looking at? 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:30.580 Well, you remember last week I told you 00:22:30.580 --> 00:22:32.100 we're looking at the four passages 00:22:32.099 --> 00:22:33.319 from the book of Zechariah 00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:35.119 that are quoted in the New Testament. 00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:38.500 And the one portion I have not talked about yet 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:39.980 is the portion that is quoted, 00:22:40.419 --> 00:22:43.339 which is when Zechariah goes to get his wages. 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:46.799 He tells the people, verse 12, 00:22:46.919 --> 00:22:48.619 if it seems good to you, give me my wages, 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.579 but if not, keep them. 00:22:49.619 --> 00:22:50.699 In other words, he's a shepherd. 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:52.399 He's turned in his two weeks notice. 00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:55.740 Tells them you can pay me if you want. 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:56.480 You don't have to. 00:22:57.839 --> 00:23:00.059 You have not loved the shepherding that I've done. 00:23:00.059 --> 00:23:01.799 You have not wanted to listen to the messages 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.579 that I've delivered. 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:06.839 And so they give him 30 pieces of silver, verse 12. 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:11.240 And then God tells him, throw it in to the house of the Lord. 00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:12.419 In other words, to the temple. 00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:13.980 Give it to the potter. 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:16.740 Now there's all kinds of theories 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.940 about what's going on here. 00:23:18.399 --> 00:23:20.399 Why is he throwing this into the house of the potter? 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:22.440 Is he condemning the temple somehow? 00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:24.839 Is he giving them just enough metal 00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:27.220 to create a false idol that they can worship? 00:23:27.220 --> 00:23:29.480 Is he throwing them their money to say, 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:30.700 that's all you care about? 00:23:33.220 --> 00:23:34.500 We don't know for sure. 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:38.559 What we do know is that this passage is quoted 00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:40.519 by the writer of the Gospel of Matthew 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:41.880 as a fulfillment. 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:44.460 In Matthew chapter 27, verse 9, 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:46.700 remember Judas has betrayed Jesus. 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:49.259 He's paid 30 pieces of silver, 00:23:49.600 --> 00:23:52.480 and it's used to buy the potter's field. 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:56.920 And Matthew tells us this is to fulfill 00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:59.259 what was written by the prophet Jeremiah. 00:23:59.620 --> 00:24:01.259 You might wonder, why is it the prophet Jeremiah 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:02.400 if we're reading Zechariah? 00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:04.480 Well, both of them discuss a potter. 00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:08.019 And as we understand, it was typical to quote 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:09.819 the lesser known of the prophets, 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:12.299 the one who had a more obscure quotation. 00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:13.819 What's given in the book of Matthew 00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:16.480 is actually closer to what we see here in Zechariah. 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:18.940 And so we would have known this is a quote 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:21.500 from Jeremiah, also from Zechariah. 00:24:21.900 --> 00:24:23.360 And we're told it's a fulfillment 00:24:23.360 --> 00:24:24.740 of what we see in this passage. 00:24:25.320 --> 00:24:26.519 So what is going on? 00:24:26.580 --> 00:24:29.759 What is the connection between Judas giving money, 00:24:30.140 --> 00:24:32.680 his money being used to buy a potter's field, 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:36.120 and this money being thrown to the place of the potter 00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:37.480 in the temple in the Old Testament? 00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:42.279 When Matthew tells us that this prophecy 00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:45.100 has been fulfilled, he is not telling us 00:24:45.100 --> 00:24:47.720 that it's fulfilled in the sense of a prediction. 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:52.460 What he is telling us is that it has been fulfilled 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:54.620 in the sense of a pattern. 00:24:55.660 --> 00:24:58.059 It's not fulfilled in the sense of a prediction. 00:24:58.420 --> 00:25:00.779 It's fulfilled in the sense of a pattern. 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:03.500 In other words, it's not a coincidence 00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:07.420 that Judas rejected Jesus and 30 pieces of silver 00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:09.039 were given to a potter. 00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:13.200 Because remember, back in Zechariah, 00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:15.660 there was a shepherd that was also rejected, 00:25:15.660 --> 00:25:18.480 and there was also 30 pieces of silver 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:20.380 that were given to a potter. 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:22.580 In other words, the reason for the money 00:25:22.580 --> 00:25:23.519 is not the point. 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:25.940 The point is that the pattern continues. 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:28.440 Matthew is drawing a connection for us 00:25:28.440 --> 00:25:30.720 between this rejected shepherd, 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.779 or God's people head into judgment, 00:25:33.180 --> 00:25:35.100 and Jesus, the rejected shepherd. 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:39.920 Both are clear instances of God's people 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:42.400 rejecting the good and perfect shepherd. 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:47.740 Not only do we have a world with bad shepherds, 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:50.100 we have a world that hates good shepherds. 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:53.100 They hated this shepherd in Zechariah chapter 11, 00:25:53.780 --> 00:25:55.980 and they hated Jesus, the good shepherd, 00:25:56.100 --> 00:25:57.460 in Matthew chapter 27. 00:25:59.860 --> 00:26:04.259 However, in Jesus, the ending of the story changes. 00:26:05.280 --> 00:26:07.300 So the silver stays the same. 00:26:08.280 --> 00:26:09.460 The ending's not the same. 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:17.180 Here, God hands his people over to a foreign leader. 00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:20.559 Remember, we have this foolish shepherd 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:23.660 in verse 15 and 16. 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:27.079 With Jesus, however, 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:31.160 instead of handing his people over to a foreign nation, 00:26:31.640 --> 00:26:34.900 he allows himself to be handed over to foreigners. 00:26:34.900 --> 00:26:37.600 Jesus fulfills the pattern, 00:26:37.820 --> 00:26:39.780 and he also breaks it. 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:45.340 The rejected shepherd in Zechariah 11 00:26:45.340 --> 00:26:47.120 hands the sheep over to judgment. 00:26:48.560 --> 00:26:51.300 When Jesus becomes the rejected shepherd, 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:52.580 he takes the judgment. 00:26:54.060 --> 00:26:56.440 The rejected shepherd in Zechariah 11 00:26:56.440 --> 00:26:58.480 hands the sheep over to judgment. 00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:01.880 The rejected shepherd in Matthew 27 00:27:01.880 --> 00:27:03.420 receives the judgment. 00:27:03.420 --> 00:27:09.200 Jesus is the great and greater shepherd. 00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:13.779 Jesus' shepherding is to cause us joy 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:17.560 because while normally we get the leaders we deserve, 00:27:18.360 --> 00:27:21.279 in Jesus Christ, we get the leader we don't deserve. 00:27:22.860 --> 00:27:26.519 We normally have leaders that reflect us, 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:28.500 both for good and for ill. 00:27:28.620 --> 00:27:31.680 In Jesus, we have a leader who does not reflect us. 00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:34.420 He is righteous where we're sinful. 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:37.560 He's obedient where we're disobedient. 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:41.160 And by the way, 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:43.220 he wasn't just rejected by Judas, right? 00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:45.460 It's Judas who betrays Jesus 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:48.019 who leads to the 30 pieces of silver. 00:27:48.120 --> 00:27:49.240 But remember, Peter, 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:51.560 whose book we were just in, 2 Peter, 00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.960 he also rejects Jesus. 00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:55.720 The disciples fall asleep 00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:57.900 when they're supposed to be awake with Jesus. 00:27:57.900 --> 00:28:01.920 And so Jesus is not just deserted 00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:04.220 by Judas at the end of his life. 00:28:04.280 --> 00:28:05.560 He's deserted by everyone. 00:28:07.860 --> 00:28:10.040 And he does it for rebellious sheep. 00:28:11.980 --> 00:28:13.600 And so why do we rejoice? 00:28:13.780 --> 00:28:16.000 Why is it good news that Jesus is our shepherd? 00:28:16.100 --> 00:28:19.120 Because we get a leader better than the one we deserve. 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:21.180 When Jesus comes to earth, 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:23.200 remember we talked about how he had a true body 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:24.400 and a reasonable soul. 00:28:24.600 --> 00:28:25.700 He's fully human. 00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:27.440 He reflects us in that sense. 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:30.700 However, he does not reflect us in our sin. 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:33.000 Instead, he takes our sin on himself. 00:28:34.360 --> 00:28:37.900 And so we have a great and greater shepherd. 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.720 For us, 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:43.480 it is not a choice, 00:28:44.180 --> 00:28:45.420 as we talked about last week, 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:46.880 between Jesus and nothing. 00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:49.819 It's a choice between Jesus and other shepherds. 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:52.180 We will be shepherded by someone. 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:56.259 If we are not shepherded by the good shepherd, 00:28:56.380 --> 00:28:57.900 we will be shepherded by ourselves. 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:59.960 We'll be shepherded by politicians. 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:01.600 We'll be shepherded by the media. 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:03.380 We'll be shepherded by technology. 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:06.539 We will be shepherded by advertisers and marketers. 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:10.880 It is not a choice between Jesus and freedom, 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:13.600 but as we see in Zechariah chapter 11, 00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:16.180 a choice between Jesus and slavery. 00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:20.019 And the good news is this. 00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:23.380 Jesus did not come for easy, compliant sheep. 00:29:25.100 --> 00:29:26.820 Jesus came for us. 00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:32.580 Jesus did not come for easy, compliant sheep. 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:35.120 He came for us. 00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:41.179 And so we rejoice in Jesus as the good shepherd, 00:29:41.719 --> 00:29:46.339 because while the shepherd in Zechariah 11 00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:48.879 releases the sheep to foreign powers, 00:29:49.919 --> 00:29:51.259 the shepherd who is Jesus 00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:53.219 releases himself to foreign powers. 00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:57.539 While the shepherd in Zechariah 11 00:29:57.539 --> 00:29:59.159 allows the sheep to be punished, 00:30:00.239 --> 00:30:01.819 the shepherd that is Jesus 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:03.379 allows himself to be punished. 00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:06.940 And so we see in Zechariah chapter 11, 00:30:07.040 --> 00:30:09.360 a pointing forward to the true and good shepherd. 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:12.040 Remember John chapter 10, verse 11. 00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:14.700 Jesus says this, I am the good shepherd. 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:19.220 The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 00:30:20.380 --> 00:30:21.920 And he could have added this, 00:30:22.020 --> 00:30:25.900 sheep who are stinky and difficult and rebellious. 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:30.860 We see that carried forward even more 00:30:30.859 --> 00:30:33.659 when Jesus tells us a story in Matthew chapter 18. 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:36.639 He tells us the parable of the lost sheep. 00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:38.939 And he says this, what do you think? 00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.879 If a man has a hundred sheep 00:30:40.879 --> 00:30:42.139 and one of them has gone astray, 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:44.419 does he not leave the 99 on the mountains 00:30:44.419 --> 00:30:46.819 and go in search of the one that went astray? 00:30:47.859 --> 00:30:50.899 And if he finds it, truly, truly, I say to you, 00:30:51.699 --> 00:30:54.619 he rejoices over it more than over the 99 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:56.000 that never went astray. 00:30:56.000 --> 00:31:01.720 Jesus is a shepherd who seeks after his lost 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:05.839 and rebellious and runaway sheep. 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:08.740 He is the good shepherd from John chapter 10. 00:31:09.859 --> 00:31:12.019 And he's the shepherd who runs after his sheep 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:13.299 from Matthew chapter 18. 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:16.660 And so we get the leaders that we deserve, 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:21.099 except that Jesus breaks the rule. 00:31:21.380 --> 00:31:25.500 In Jesus, we got a leader that we didn't deserve. 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:30.480 And so we rejoice, not just in Jesus as our king, 00:31:30.599 --> 00:31:32.359 but Jesus as our shepherd, 00:31:32.359 --> 00:31:36.740 because he is the one who pursues the people who oppose him. 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:40.500 He is the one who pursues us. 00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:43.480 Let's pray. 00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:48.099 Our Father in heaven, we thank you 00:31:48.099 --> 00:31:51.720 for the stories that you give us in your word, 00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:55.860 putting them into a form that we can understand 00:31:55.860 --> 00:31:57.779 and grasp and imagine. 00:31:58.779 --> 00:32:01.180 We thank you that we have a better fate 00:32:01.180 --> 00:32:04.640 and a better future than the sheep in this passage 00:32:04.640 --> 00:32:07.799 because we have our great and greatest king, Jesus. 00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:09.660 We ask that you would use that truth 00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:13.120 to soften and stir up our hearts during Advent, 00:32:13.259 --> 00:32:14.380 that we would be moved, 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:16.640 no matter what our circumstances are, 00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:17.539 in our perspective, 00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:18.980 that we would praise you, 00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:21.799 knowing that no matter what happens in this world, 00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:23.279 you will not lose us 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:25.279 because you are the shepherd 00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:28.039 who goes after the one and leaves the 99. 00:32:28.700 --> 00:32:30.779 We ask all these things in Jesus' name. 00:32:31.339 --> 00:32:31.559 Amen.