31 Still, many in the crowd put their faith in him. They said, "When the Christ comes, will he do more miraculous signs than this man?"
Even amongst the prideful and jealous nay saying of the religious elite, there remained a remnant persuaded of the truthfulness of our Lord Jesus - His miraculous signs being to them as finger marks of God. This comes as no surprise – throughout all of His-story, God has always and will always, maintain a remnant. This remnant bears witness and ministers as well as brings glory and honor to God’s great name. The preservation of a faithful remnant is and always has been the gracious work of our Holy God.
5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. Romans 11:5 (NIV)
“God is continually drawing us to Himself in everything we experience.” Gerard Hughes
It would seem Jeremiah’s words to be a fitting addition to our look at today’s verse:
1 "Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD. 2 Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: "Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done," declares the LORD. 3 "I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing," declares the LORD. Jer 23:1-4 (NIV)
Israel’s leaders were not only leading the Israelites astray but they were also refusing to bestow care and concern on their behalf. Certainly Jesus came down hard on these Pharisees who should have used their position and knowledge for God’s glory and mankind’s good rather than their own selfish ambition and vain conceits. God is neither deceived nor impressed by our external pomp and splendor. Pride is such an insidious monster and modern day leaders of God’s flocks should be just as aware. Just as those who are given wealth are accountable for that wealth, those who have been bestowed greater knowledge are held more accountable for that knowledge. Our gifts are not to be for us alone – hoarding like the Israelites did of the manna as it turned to worms - they are to be for others as well. In God’s economy, one has been blessed to be a blessing. We find Jesus’ Words pointing us to this Truth:
13 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. 15 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. Matt 23:13-15 (NIV)
46 "Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely." Luke 20:46-47 (NIV)
23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. Matt 23:23 (NIV)
“Though our Savior’s passion is over, His compassion is not.” William Penn
It would seem that Satan accomplishes more by imitation than by fierce opposition. Filling these shepherds with pride and lack of concern for their flocks certainly led many down the wrong path. Indeed, it is doubtful if any would have followed them had they claimed to be satanic leaders! We are to be aware of his wiles. Scripture tells us:
8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)