Jesus Christ the king acts like a shepherd who cares for his flock. “For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep” (Ezek 34:11). God, himself, like a shepherd, searches us out. This means that the truth, in a certain sense, finds us. Do we not have the expression “it dawned on me that…” The rising sun’s light finds its way to our eyes. The shepherd finds the lost sheep. Jesus Christ, the King, finds us.
Not only does our true king restore us and protect us, but he also gives us gifts to make us happy. A shepherd does something similar: “I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord GOD” (Ezek 34:15). Our God makes us to “lie down” so that we can enjoy rest and repose, not merely for the sake of future labors, but to share in his delight. Our resting with God is not only so that we can keep toiling in his service. God wants us to rest with him so that we can taste the infinite joys of his company.
Woe to those who refuse God’s company on whatever pretext. “As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, rams and he-goats” (Ezek 34:17). God is no blind judge. At times we must work hard in the service of our King, and, at other times, we must rest in his presence. If we refuse to work with him or to rest with him, there will come a terrifying judgment, when the truth of what we have done finds us.