![]() One of the most popular and beloved Christian Orthodox Icons from the most ancient times is the Orthodox icon of the Good Shepherd. Dormition of the Theotokos (Assumption) Icons.First, he says: The sheep that are weak are to be strengthened that is, consciences weak in faith and troubled in spirit and of tender disposition are not to be driven and told: You must do this. Now let us consider this citation from the prophet in its order.ġ2. He is no such shepherd as that for no one is benefited, but is rather wholly undone, by such a course, as we shall presently hear. That is no proper way to tend and keep souls, says Christ. But how did those shepherds act? They ruled with rigour, and applied God’s Law with great severity and, moreover, they added their own commandments, as they still do, and when these were not fulfilled, they raved and condemned, so that they were driving and driving and exhorting and exacting, continually. If we realized them, we would soon flee to him. The only trouble is that we do not realize our needs and infirmities. That is, indeed, a comforting declaration. Here you see that Christ’s kingdom is to be concerned about the weak, the sick, the broken, that he may help them. As he says further on, in verse 16: “I will seek that which was lost, I will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick.”ġ1. This you should have done, says he to the shepherds, but you have not done it therefore, I will do it myself. His earnest intent in this paragraph is that the weak, sick, broken, those who are driven away and the lost, are to be strengthened, bound up, healed, and sought again, and that they are not to be torn to pieces and scattered. ![]() It does not say, Do this and do that, but rather: Come, I will show you where you may find and obtain what you need to written. It does not drive or threaten, but tenderly invites us. It tells where one may obtain that which will meet the demands of the Law. The other proclamation is that of the Gospel. For though it may compel a man outwardly to appear godly before men, inwardly it leaves the heart at enmity with the Law, and wishing that there were no such Law.ģ. But this declaration will make no one godly at heart. 20.13-15), and when it adds the threat that all who do not keep these commandments shall die. One is that which is declared in the Word of God when it says: Thou shalt not kill, not commit adultery, not steal (Exod. Now, you have often heard that God has given the world two different proclamations. And there is no better way to understand it than to contrast light and darkness and day and night that is, the good shepherd with the wicked one, as the Lord himself does.Ģ. This is a comforting Gospel, which so beautifully portrays the Lord Jesus and teaches us what manner of person he is, what kind of works he does, and how he is disposed toward men. They who seek only their own selfish ends, do not stand firm in the time of temptation and opposition therefore they must always want that which they seek.ġ. This shepherd knows of no human shepherd, because his kingdom is not of this world.ĥ. There is indeed only one voice, and that is Christ’s Word but there are many calls for he calls his sheep by name, one by this name, another by a different name.Ĥ. Christ is solicitous, and keeps watch over his sheep which is a great consolation and of which nearly every prophet boasted and preached.ģ. Whatever is preached besides the Gospel is all poison and death to the sheep.Ģ. He feeds his sheep with the Word, as he says to Peter in John 21.16: “Peter, feed my sheep.” And Christ does this that they may believe and live.
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