preaching the bible to a modern audience

The prophetic text of Ezekiel offers important clues to the meaning of the ministry of Jesus. Ezekiel presents one of the central metaphors that Jesus would later use, particularly that of the shepherd leading the flock of the righteous to salvation. Ezekiel discusses the role of the shepherd in two different ways. First, the shepherd is responsible for searching for flock that has scattered or for flock in need of rescue. “I look after my sheep.

I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness,” (Ezekiel 34:12). Second, Ezekiel refers to the shepherd’s role in discerning between the proverbial sheep and goats, administering justice according to measures like obedience. “I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice,” (Ezekiel 34:16).

These passages in Ezekiel offer insight into Biblical models of leadership, which can also be incorporated into Christian ministry or even into everyday comportment. Discernment and righteous judgment are also major themes, as is the concept of spiritual justice. The New Testament offers some confirmation of the principles outlined in Ezekiel, but with some important differences embodied in the life of Christ. Matthew echoes Ezekiel with the imagery of the shepherd separating the flock into sheep and goats, symbolizing believers and nonbelievers.

“All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats,” (Matthew 25:32). However, the stakes seem higher in Matthew’s model. Justice means either eternal punishment versus eternal life. Of course, eternal life can only be located through faith in Christ.

Both the Ezekiel and the Matthew versions of the sheep and goats offer instruction in how to properly guide a congregation, and to encourage ethical living throughout an entire Christian community. In both cases, God ultimately distinguishes between the sheep and the goats, uplifting the weak and humble who have devoted their lives to service while “destroying” the egotistical whims of those who have grown “fat” or “strong” through greed or corruption (Ezekiel 34:16).

These passages are therefore linked through the themes of justice and judgment. Matthew also conveys Jesus’s message of eternal life, which is critical to the mission of Christ. Whereas the Old Testament source refers more to the process and function of God’s ruthless judgment, the New Testament shows where God’s judgment will lead in light of the manifestation of Christ.

Christ’s death and resurrection offer a new message that can lead the parishioners, the sheep, the believers, to eternal life in God’s Kingdom. Belief in Christ requires a deep understanding of the resurrection, and faith is what separates the sheep from the goats. “As in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive,” (I Corinthians 15:22). This passage of I Corinthians also outlines the differences between the old covenant and the new, tying the Pauline text with Matthew’s.

Matthew’s allusion to Ezekiel’s separation of the flock refers to the need to distinguish those who believed in the old Jewish laws and those ready to accept the new laws of Christ. Those who do not follow Christ shall be left behind on the Day of Judgment, and will suffer the punishment of eternal damnation. Ezekiel had prophesized as much, only lacked the language of Christ.

Christ represents the ultimate fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophesy of how the flock would one day need to be separated between the believers and the non-believers. All of these passages remain fully relevant for a contemporary audience. Expository sermons can expound on each passage alone. However, taken together, these passages offer a multitude of meanings and messages. Matthew and Paul both refer to the diversity of a contemporary congregation, which would have been not unlike the audiences the original disciples would have encountered.

For example, “All the nations will be gathered before him,” (Matthew 25:32). God “may be all in all,” and is all things to all people (1 Corinthians 15:26). Yet not all who come will be chosen but only those with faith. Only “those who belong to him” may receive eternal life and enter the Kingdom of Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:23). It is critical to communicate this core message to all people, to help those who would be swayed by false authority.

False authority could mean anything from false truth, false prophecy, and false faith to placing what should be religious faith to secular institutions. In the end times especially, the true believer sacrifices all other loyalties except loyalty to Christ. For “the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power,” (1 Corinthians 15:24). All the dominion, authority, and power must be transferred fully to God.

This message can be softened somewhat to refer to the ways people often forget.