In my last post, we learned how the LORD is our shepherd. He takes care of all our needs, as well as our wants that are aligned with His will. He takes care of our anxieties, and He ensures we are well-fed and watered spiritually. He restores our souls, and guides us through the Scriptures to teach us how to live. He is with us in the valley of the shadow of death, and He never leaves or forsakes us. He comforts us with His rod and staff. He is good to us and provides for us in the midst of trouble. He anoints us with His Holy Spirit, filling us to overflowing. His goodness and mercy follow us all our days, and we will live with Him for eternity.
I would almost feel remiss writing about the Lord being our shepherd without taking a look at John 10. Here He will use a few different analogies that are similar to one another to illustrate who He is. He says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.” So, the shepherds had walled enclosures in which they would drive their sheep into at night to keep them safe. There was only one entrance, so the sheep could not get out, nor could any predators get in. If someone else tried to climb over the walls, they were a thief or a robber. Jesus continued that he who goes through the door is the shepherd, and the doorkeeper (probably the Holy Spirit) opens the door for him. He said that the sheep know the voice of the shepherd, so that when he comes in the door to call them out, they follow him. They will not follow strangers, but flee from them because they do not recognize their voice.
Second, Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” Out in the pasture lands, the shepherds had pens for the sheep with only one entrance. The shepherd would then lay in the entrance to keep the sheep in and predators out. The sheep pen is the kingdom of God, and Jesus is the door. All who enter in by Him will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. Anyone who came before Him are again thieves and robbers. There have been many before and after Jesus claiming to be the way to God, but Jesus is the only true shepherd, the true entrance into the Kingdom. He is the only one who can protect and take care of the sheep.
Third, Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” This is an interesting statement: David says that the LORD is his shepherd, and Jesus states He is the good shepherd. Remember, the word David used for LORD was Jehovah, so Jesus is plainly stating He is Jehovah, the God of the Old Testament. So, the next time you encounter someone like the Jehovah’s witnesses who deny the deity of Jesus Christ, this is one of the passages you can take them to. He connects His goodness with the giving up of His life for the sheep. You can know a true shepherd by who he is in it for. If he is willing to risk it all for the sheep, he is a true shepherd. If he flees at the sight of danger or hardship, he is a hireling. David took on a lion and a bear to save one measly sheep, and Jesus gave His life for every sinner on the planet who will receive His goodness and mercy. He is the only one who could and who did lay down His life for you and me. Jesus said to His disciples, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” (Jn 15:13-14) So then, the good Shepherd loves His sheep, and proved it by laying down His life for them.
Lastly, Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” Real sheep have heard the voice of Jesus calling them to repentance and salvation, they entered into a relationship with Him by faith, and they follow Him by obeying the Scriptures. He has given them eternal life that cannot be taken away from them. They are safe in His hand.
Is the Lord your Shepherd today? Like any good shepherd, His number one care is the sheep. This means He will take vengeance on anyone or anything that seeks to harm the sheep. Jesus is coming back one day soon in vengeance on this wicked world that is against God and against His people. He will then rule the nations with a rod of iron. The good news is, you don’t have to remain a thief, robber, or wolf. You can be born again. Jesus told Nicodemus, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” The good Shepherd has demonstrated His love for you by laying down His life for you. Put your trust in Him today, be born again, and receive everlasting life. Repent from your sins, and follow Him.
If you are born again, Jesus is your shepherd, and you will not want. Trust Him to provide all your needs according to His riches and glory by Christ Jesus. Let His Spirit cause you to rest in the green pastures and lead you beside the still waters of the word of God. Let Him guide you in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Repent from any sins, and let Him refresh your soul. Remember that He is with you in the valley of the shadow of death. Do not be afraid, for He is with you. Let Him comfort you with His rod and staff. Receive his bounty and richness in the midst of your trouble, let Him anoint you with His Holy Spirit, and fill you to overflowing. Listen to His voice, and follow Him. Let His grace and mercy follow you all your life, and dwell with Him for eternity.
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