Readings: Psalm 23 & John 10:1-17
Jesus, the true Shepherd, the Good Shepherd.
Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known, wonderful psalms in scripture. This psalm is known in many languages and by many people. It is repeated by many. It is read at funerals of the saved and unsaved. It is repeated in difficult situations. Every man will have to give an account to God. When you repeat this Psalm you are repeating words of scripture and you are accountable for every word that you have spoken.
David wrote this song when he was a shepherd and had sheep as a little boy. He loved them and cared for them. Samuel was sent to the House of Jesse to choose a king from that family. Jesse brought his strongest, fittest son but Samuel asked for another. David, the youngest, was on the hillside. Samuel asked for him. God says, ‘This is the one.’ When you compare David to David’s older brother in the King’s army, surely the oldest son would have been the one. But no – David, the one who cared for sheep, is chosen. This little boy stood before the strongest and mightiest God. By His Spirit, He allowed David to pen these words, ‘The Lord is my shepherd.’
Do you know this as a reality in your life? David knows his sheep, but he is taken to the Shepherd of the sheep. Sheep are very dependent on their shepherd. We live in Pembrokeshire, in Wales. There are more sheep than people. A shepherd is there to protect, to watch over and make sure that the sheep do not get into trouble. They depend on the shepherd to care for them. Now, David says, ‘My God is my Shepherd. He looks after me. He cares for me.’
In John chapter 10 Jesus says He is the Good Shepherd. What does it mean to be a Good Shepherd? ‘Good’ in Greek describes a noble, wholesome, beautiful person. The Good Shepherd is good inwardly and outwardly. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd. He is the only One who is good through and through, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Jesus contrasts Himself with those who had to care for His sheep. The Pharisees had responsibility to keep the law and look after the sheep of His pasture – yet they were not doing this. The Pharisees were meant to protect but allowed the wolf to come in and take the sheep. Do you realise how privileged you are? If it wasn’t for the Lord, where would you be? If He wasn’t the Door, where would you and I be? He is the Door. Regardless of who comes, He will protect us, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9).
Do you come to the Lord? He wants to hold you in His arms. So often we are reluctant to come to Him, but He wants you to come close to Him. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10). The thief does not come except to kill and destroy – referring to the Jewish leaders of the day. Instead of loving the people, they gave others the responsibility to look after them, but they stole from them (Malachi – the priests had responsibility for looking after God’s people).
Each of us has a responsibility for the person next to us, to care each other and to look after each other and feed each other. In Malachi, the people were told to bring unblemished sacrifices, but they brought blemished sacrifices. The priests accepted the corrupt offerings, but God rejected them. We have a responsibility to bring God sacrifices of praises that are pleasing to His sight. What have you brought to Him this morning?
We need to give Him the first place – that is the place that is His. We are set apart for His glory and praise. We are holy. God sees us as holy in Christ. What are you bringing to Him everyday? You and I have a responsibility that we do not lead others astray. Are you living in Him, walking in Him? Can others see this?
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He is saying to the religious leaders He is not like them. He is the Door. He will keep, He will guard, He will protect, He will uphold His sheep.
The hired hands ran away when the wolf came. As believers in Christ, we are held by His power. His everlasting arms hold us (Deuteronomy).
In John 10:17-18 we see Christ going to Calvary’s cross. Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. We see the depth of His love, the meek and lowly one who lays His life down for His sheep – defending us from the wolf, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
He has the power to overcome. We have been singing, rejoicing, because of Him who has redeemed us by His precious blood. He is holding us and will never let us go. He is the Good Shepherd who loves us. He will not leave or forsake us. He loves us so much He is taking us to heaven.
“But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
(Isaiah 43:1).
The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. We are His.
Penuel Baptist Chapel, Roch 