“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:1

One of the most disappointing experiences for me as a pastor, has been when a colleague  betrayed the trust of their congregation. Whether  through  sexual abuse of a  Congregation member, or misuse of funds, learning hard truths about a friend is painful. Betrayal leaves an atmosphere of distrust in a congregation and  breaks the heart of the person  harmed.

When Jeremiah talks about the Shepherds of Israel, he is referring to the Kings of Israel,  who did not act with justice. They have pretended to care but did not care. In their self-importance and greed, they chose personal gain over the nations’ good. Along with injustices they allowed,  these kings made false promises,  claiming God was guiding them in decisions which caused harm to the people. People left in fear or were captured and exiled to far away Babylon.

God’s Shepherds are meant to bless, not harm, protecting those under their care. When shepherds are corrupted, there’s a lack of justice. Corruption rules, the wealthy grow wealthier, and the poor have more burdens put upon them.

Much as Jeremiah grieved leaders of Israel straying from God’s truth, I’ve found it painful to see the faith of good people manipulated, and used for political ends, that are contrary to the Christian faith. Promises of political power have corrupted people in leadership, who have abandoned Christian principles of justice, compassion, mercy, and love. The love of power has supplanted those values,  demeaning and diminishing Christianity.

In Jeremiah’s frustration and despair, God promises Jeremiah, “I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them and they shall no longer fear or be dismayed…. The days are surely coming says the Lord, and I will raise up for David a righteous branch and he shall reign as king and deal wisely and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” Jeremiah 23:4-5

God’s intention has always been for a Just world.  As Christians we believe Jesus is that righteous branch. The one who has showed us the way . . . Which is the way of living righteously, with integrity, compassion and valuing every person. Valuing even the ones, false Shepherds have told us to hate.

A local retired Evangelical pastor, Pat Kahnke, has made it his mission to reach Christians who have been duped by the values of the  MAGA movement. In his gentle way, he speaks truth to the lies and the anti-Christian actions of a government, which has lost it’s way. In this video, he talks about a recent report by Human Rights Watch and the mistreatment of Immigrants in the United States:  Pat Kahnke The Report Trump “Christians” Don’t Want To Face: Human Rights Watch

If Jesus really is our King, then certainly, all of us who claim the name Christian, must be about advocating for people being harmed, whenever we see injustice in our land.