Scripture Study for

Jeremiah’s indictment of the leaders of the people is terse and decisive. They  have not only neglected the people of God, they have actually misled them.  Because the shepherds had not cared for the flock, God would definitely care  for the punishment of these derelict leaders. They had scattered the sheep; God  would gather them up again. They had been false shepherds; God would be the  true shepherd. God promises to raise up a new royal shepherd, a righteous leader who will govern the nation wisely and justly. The coming king will reestablish  both Israel and Judah, and he will do it in the righteousness that comes from God. The reading from Ephesians speaks of the union, accomplished in Christ, of  two different groups of people. The author declares that a change has taken place  in the Ephesians. Previously they had been far off from faith, but now, through  the blood of Christ, they have been brought near to all those who believed in  Christ before they did. Christ is their peace; in Christ they are one people. The  passage ends with a Trinitarian proclamation of faith. Jesus has died and risen  from the dead and now lives in the Spirit. Through him, in the Spirit, all believers  have access to the Father. 

Either the apostles were quite successful in their mission, or the fame of Jesus  had spread abroad, or both, for the people were coming in such numbers that the  missionaries had to get away from the crowds. However, their departure did not  deter the crowds, who seemed to know where they were going and arrived there  before Jesus and the apostles did. Seeing them, Jesus was moved with pity, for  they were like sheep without a shepherd, searching for someone or something  that they could follow. Seeing that the people were bereft of strong and dependable leadership, Jesus began to teach them.