The Essence of the Good Shepherd

Hello everyone,

Last time, I wrote on the Good Shepherd and why we are referred to as sheep in several illustrations, and not another animal or something else used to classify us. Today, I’ll look further into the importance of the Good Shepherd. So, in addressing this aspect of the importance of the Good Shepherd, Psalm 23 would be an excellent platform to view this.

Using the Amplified translation of Psalm 23, I’ll take my reference. Psalm 23 verse 1 and 2 says, “THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.” First of all a Shepherd is a person who guides tends sheep, he could also be referred to as one who watches over or guides sheep, which in this case, the sheep are you and I, and Jesus is our Shepherd He feeds, guides us and shields us, ensuring that we don’t lack anything.

Now, looking at all verse one, the Jesus is the one who shows us the way to go, how to live our lives. We must understand that His aim is to give us the best comfort we could ever think of. The aim of the Shepherd leading the sheep is not just for the sheep to just have a stroll or to just eat any grass, but for the sheep to be well equipped, eating not just any grass, but the best grass and drink from the best waters. This is what the sheep is meant to achieve, but the sheep cannot achieve them all on their own, which is why they need a Shepherd. Unlike a goat who could be stubborn to go its way thinking it knows best, it may succeed in getting the best grass and the best waters, but the process in getting there would be extremely stressful and strenuous, and getting there in the first place is a probability.

Verse 3 says, “He refreshes and restores my life (myself); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him-not for earning it, but] for His name’s sake.” What we have to understand and remember is that our effort and hard work would never be up to God’s standard. Our uprightness and right standing with the Good Shepherd/Jesus is not because we merit all these qualities but because it is the Good Shepherd Himself who merited them all. The sheep on their own are lost, without the Shepherd, they would go the wrong way, not because they intend to do that, but because they have no direction or purpose in life, so if the Good Shepherd lacks these fine qualities then the sheep are doomed. Verse 3 said we are led in the path of righteousness, for His name’s sake. This is because this is what the Shepherd is known for, righteousness, so He teaches or disciples the sheep to learn to walk the path He had walked to achieve righteousness.

Being with the Good Shepherd is righteousness on its own, it is just living in righteousness which everyone receives the moment they receive Jesus as Lord or as their good Shepherd, which also would imply casting off all their burdens upon Him, [ref. 1 Peter 5:7]. But walk the path of righteousness doesn’t come automatically, you need to walk with the Lord in order to achieve this, which is what the God Shepherd did in verse 3, thus showing and leading them in the path of righteousness, uprightness and right standing with Him, this is called walking by the Spirit, [ref. Galatians 5:25].

To walk with the Good Shepherd is an act of humility because you chose to do that yourself, just 1 Peter 5:6 says, “Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you.” AMP. In achieving this is where the next verse says this is by casting all your anxieties, worries and concerns once and for all upon Him because you know He cares for you. How well do we trust the Good Shepherd to all walk with Him? Log on next time as I continue unfolding the rest of Psalm 23.

May the LORD bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you. May the LORD be gracious to you and lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. AMEN.

                    

Why not accept Jesus today if you haven’t. Pray out loud, “Jesus, I confess that You are my Lord and Saviour. I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. By faith in Your Word, I receive salvation now. Thank You for saving me!” Congratulations, you’re born again, you are now brand new!

Log on next time.

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GOD BLESS YOU.

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Unless otherwise stated, the following scriptures are gotten from New King James Version (NKJV)