The Good Shepherd
Lately I have found myself drawn to the passage where Jesus describes himself as The Good Shepherd...
“I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep." “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me." (John 10:11, 14)
As I think about what a shepherd is and does I am reminded of Psalms 23, a very familiar and comforting psalm.
Psalms 23:1-3
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."
Think about this shepherd in Psalms 23...
He knows his sheep and they lack nothing. He provides pastures where tender herbs and sprouts grow for the sheep to eat and rest. He provides peaceful waters for the sheep to drink. He knows which paths are good for the sheep to walk. He loves them!
When Jesus says "I am the Good Shepherd.", he is saying that He is the One who does the very thing the psalmist describes. We lack nothing because of Him.
He is the Bread of Life by which we are fed and the Living Water by which our thirst is quenched; He gives us rest; our very souls are converted and given new life through faith in Him; He is our righteousness and leads us into all that is right and just!
At times I find myself wandering like a forgetful sheep. I wander down the path of duty, hard work, busyness, self reliance and I find although good intentioned, my path has led me away from where my Shepherd is leading me! I have forgotten in all my duty and busyness and hard work my LOVE for The Good Shepherd and His love for me! I lose sight of the beautiful Truth that My Shepherd knows me, He knows everything about me.
I hear His voice calling...His love beckoning me again to lay down my self reliance and follow His perfect way. I hear His love beckoning me to the glorious rest and rich provision HE IS for His sheep!
"Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
The Good Shepherd is calling us to rest. We can come to Him knowing He is Good; His very character is humble and gentle. We are invited to trust Him, learn from Him, follow Him and rest in the perfect work He has already accomplished!
“I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep." (John 10:11)
In the second half of this passage Jesus says He sacrifices his life for the sheep. His perfect work was accomplished when He died on the cross; he fulfilled the requirements of His law perfectly and paid the penalty for our sin! The Good Shepherd died to save the sheep!
"All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all."
Psalms 23:4
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;"
Jesus' whole life on earth was covered by the shadow of death. He came to earth knowing He was going to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. He willingly died so we could have eternal life! The Good Shepherd was also the Lamb of God, the Perfect Sacrifice!
"Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)
When we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, whether literal death or dark and difficult days in life, we do not have to fear because The Good Shepherd is with us! The Good Shepherd is leading us through something He already experienced Himself! We can trust that He knows us, He loves us, and He will lead us in the path that is best for us.
In dark and difficult days we can ALWAYS find green pastures, peaceful waters and a place to rest IN our Good Shepherd. And when we face death, as a sheep of The Good Shepherd we can trust Him to bring us to our final resting place in Heaven!
Blessings,
Amy
