Saturday 5 February 2022
1 Kings 3:4-13. Lord, teach me your decrees – Psalm 118(119):9-14. Mark 6:30-34.
They were like sheep without a shepherd
Throughout the era of Israel’s monarchy God, through his prophets, frequently chastised the kings, prophets and priests for failing to lead his people. At the climax of their corruption which would soon lead to the exile to Babylon, God effectively dismisses them from their posts. In Jeremiah 23, amid a fiery account of pastoral failure, God declares “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock”. This is a decisive turning point. God repeats this promise to Ezekiel while he remains in Babylon, this time adding mysteriously that while he will shepherd his people (34:11-22), he will also appoint another, called “my servant David” to care for them.
With this background Mark’s seemingly simple words strike us forcefully. He is not merely saying that Jesus felt sorry for the people. Instead, Mark is helping us to see in Jesus the Divine Son sent by the Father to shepherd his people.
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