Jesus the Good Shepherd
READ: Psalm 23
We don’t hear much about shepherds these days. Fences keep sheep from wandering and keep wild animals from attacking. Pasture land is reseeded and irrigated, and troughs filled with water via pumps and hoses, so very little travelling to look for water and pasture is needed. If you want to see a shepherd in action, you’ll have to go to a less-developed country.
Or you’ll have to reach into history. Psalm 23 is a favorite Psalm of comfort for many because of the word pictures and promises it relays. Shepherding was a huge part of Israel’s history, so its many aspects were well-known to them. The shepherd’s job was to lead the sheep to good pasture and water. The shepherd also protected the sheep – from outside attack as well as from their own stupidity, even if it meant giving his own life. The staff was used to direct the sheep and the rod to protect the sheep, especially through deadly valleys as they sought good pasture and water, and then to bring the sheep safely back to the fold again.
We are just like sheep. Isaiah writes, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way;” (Isaiah 53:6). We are spiritually stupid, dead in our sin, and on our own, guaranteed to stray and eventually die. But Isaiah doesn’t stop there, “and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Jesus says through John, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Jesus, our Good Shepherd, laid down his life to rescue us from our enemies of the devil, death, and an eternity in hell. As Jesus compares himself to a shepherd, he continues in John 10:27-28, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” What comfort to know that believing in Jesus by grace through faith leads to eternal life with Him! Psalm 23:5-6 reminds us of the abundance that awaits us in heaven, as we, the perfectly prepared bride of Christ, will join Him for the great wedding feast for all of eternity!
May the joy and comfort of Psalm 23 point you to your Savior Jesus, who guides you, who rescues you when you stray and protects you from the spiritual attacks of the devil, and who will guide you into eternity through death. Praise the LORD!
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: Sheep are dirty dumb animals – in what ways are you like this? A good shepherd loves his sheep more than himself – how is Jesus like this and more?
THINGS TO PRAY ABOUT: Thank Jesus for walking with you every day and for guiding you through his Word and his protective presence. Ask for eagerness to bring the saving message to lost sheep that they may be part of Jesus’ fold.