Thursday, 3rd April 2025
Alex Buabeng-Korsah
TOPIC: THE STRUCK SHEPHERD WHO GATHERS
THEME SCRIPTURE: “Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me! declares the Lord Almighty. Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones” – Zechariah 13:7
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
1. Who is this Shepherd that our theme scripture is referring to?
Centuries before Christ, Zechariah foretold a moment of divine paradox: God Himself would permit His faithful Shepherd to be struck, triggering the scattering of His flock. This prophecy pierces the heart of the Gospel.
On the night of His arrest, Jesus quoted Zechariah 13:7: “You will all fall away… for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered’” (Mark 14:27). Within hours, Roman soldiers seized Him. Peter denied Him; the disciples fled (Matthew 26:56). The Shepherd was struck—betrayed, crucified, buried. Yet this was no tragedy. As Augustine proclaimed, “He permitted Himself to be slain, that He might vanquish death.” The cross became the gateway to redemption. In the midst of scattering, the disciple’s heart is revealed.
For the wanderer and those who have fled, return. Have you strayed? The disciples scattered, yet Jesus sought them (John 21:15-17). His death wasn’t the end—He rose to gather the broken. “Return to the Shepherd… who bore your sins” (1 Peter 2:24-25). Your failures don’t disqualify you; His grace restores.
For the faithful, and those who have not denied Him, hope on. Life’s trials may scatter your peace, but the struck Shepherd reigns. Tertullian wrote, “The blood of martyrs is seed”—even in chaos, God plants resurrection hope. Your Shepherd walks with you (Psalm 23:4).
Zechariah’s prophecy doesn’t end with scattering. In Zechariah 13:9, God promises: “I will refine them as silver… They will call on my name, and I will answer.” Jesus’s resurrection fulfills this. The scattered disciples became bold apostles (Acts 2:14). Your hopelessness, too, is birthing purpose.
During this season of Lent, O reader of today’s devotional, the Shepherd’s wounds are your bridge home if you have strayed far from God. To the believer, look to your Shepherd. He is transforming your scattering. As Charles Spurgeon urged, “Fly to the cross—there’s no fear of a sword there, for it was sheathed in the Savior’s side.”
The sword struck—but the Shepherd Lives. He lives to gather all that the Father has given Him. Walk in His gathering grace.
Remain blessed
FURTHER READING – Zechariah 13
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- Are you a wanderer or a faithful?
- Have you denied your Lord or fled from Him long ago?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, struck Shepherd, I confess I’ve wandered. Forgive my doubt, my fear, my sin. Thank you for bearing the sword I deserved. Gather me close; refine my heart. When storms scatter my hope, remind me: Your scars are proof that I am safe in Your hands, in Jesus’s precious name. Hallelujah!
One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Deuteronomy 9-10 Psalm 93; Acts 4
Comments powered by CComment