JESUS IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Psalm 23:1-6 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for this name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup over flows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Other than John 3:16 that says, “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him could have eternal life”, the 23rd Psalm is maybe the most recognized verse in the Bible. But probably in both cases few people really take the time to really think about what is implied and how it can impact their life. Unless we are devoted to the study of the Bible, we seldom take the time to really slow down and ask those critical question of what is this really saying, why is it being said and what is being implied by it? Is this a temporal truth or one that is for all people for eternity? In the new version of my commentary I have written out in more detail how Inductive Bible works and I have listed some tools to use in finding out for yourself what is really being said, instead of reading for the sake of reading the Bible through in a year. Don’t get me wrong about reading for the enjoyment of God’s word, because I do that as well and it is good to remind us of what it says. But for growth and maturity in our understanding of what God wants us to know means we need to take some time and effort to look beyond the surface. It is really not any different than anything else in life that we want to excel in. God will not pour it into our brain using a funnel. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
The Lord is our shepherd. The title Lord is not just referring to Jesus as most Christians relate to it. In the Old Testament it is often used as Adonai or Lordship. It is a general word used by the Hebrews for YHWH. Out of respect for God they do not write or pronounce God’s name Jehovah, Yahweh or Yehovah. You may have heard YHWH called the tetragrammaton. In the New Testament Lord often refers to master as owner of a slave. So in reality the Lord is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. They are our Master and we are obligated to do their will.
Unfortunately like most sheep, people in general are rebellious. Not necessarily on purpose, but just the same people are inclined to often wonder off and get themselves into trouble and are in constant need of care. It seems we just can’t help it. A good part of it is our carnal nature that everyone is born with. It is an inherited tendency to do what we want rather than what god wants even if what God wants is better. The only way we can be set free of this is by becoming a Christians and being born again. We see this in Romans 7:5-8:17.
Only when sheep yield to their shepherds care will they experience the blessings that the shepherds can bring them. Certainly the same can be said for people. Even Christians will at times fight against God’s will for their life. Because of God’s determination to respect our free will many Christians lack much rather than lacking nothing. Some Christians insist on going where they don’t belong and doing what they should not be doing and then wonder why their Shepherd (Jesus) let it happen. In many ways it reminds me of the old picture of Jesus standing with sheep by a nearby stream. Most of the sheep are looking down at the ground eating. Many are lagging behind getting further and further behind their Good Shepherd’s care and are in danger of attack. Others are far out in front of their Good Shepherd and going where they shouldn’ falling into danger by leaving the narrow way. Some are at the side of their Good Shepherd and even some of them looking up to their Good Shepherd. But there is one that has chosen to surrender itself totally to being in the arms of their Good Shepherd. This little lamb has all the blessings and assurance it needs. It lacks nothing!
Jesus is our Good Shepherd! Where are you in relation to him today? Have you back slidden and no longer talk to him, read the Bible or even go to church? Are you so caught up in daily life and self that you don’t even think much about him? Has church become a formal ritualistic routine that dried up every bit of your excitement and love for Jesus? Are you serving Jesus and the church so much that you seldom seek his direction, and are focused on good works rather than the Good Shepherd? Are you finding more lack in your relationship with Jesus than fulfillment? Well, maybe it is time to readjust your focus in your Christian pilgrimage. If you are not in the arms of Jesus you are not where you should be if you are wanting the best! It is all a matter of priority and focus. The only reason why you can’t have this is because you you either don’t want it or don’t want it bad enough.
In Mark 10:17-31 Jesus invites a rich young man to follow him, but instead he would not because he valued his wealth more than being with Jesus. Jesus was giving his you man a chance to get into the arms of the Good Shepherd, but he chose short term blessings for eternal blessings. If Jesus would ask you today if you wanted to be one of his apostles what would you say? Well, he is asking! Are you willing to get up in the Good Shepherd’s arms or be like one of the other sheep in the flock?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for wanting to be our Good Shepherd. Please help us to get into your loving arms and surrender all that we are and ever will be into your care. We love you Jesus!
