Psalm 23:1-3 NLT
[1] The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. [2] He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. [3] He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Jesus said,
John 10:11,14 NLT
[11] “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. [14] “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,
Jesus, the good Shepherd, takes care of us if we let Him. He will provide for our needs and protect us from Satan, the evil one. He has willingly sacrificed His life for us.
Jesus as our Shepherd:
- Leads the sheep,
- Feeds the sheep,
- Tend the flock,
- Equips the sheep by teaching and training them.
How does the Shepherd lead us?
John 13:12-15 NLT – [12] After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? [13] You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. [14] And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. [15] I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.
Jesus demonstrated servant leadership by washing His disciples’ feet, which was typically the job of the lowest servant in a household. Even though Jesus was God in human form, He humbled Himself to serve His disciples. This act of service showed His humility and love for His followers.
Mark 10:45 NLT – For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Philippians 2:3-4 NLT – [3] Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. [4] Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Jesus leads us by example to serve and love others.
How does the Shepherd feed us?
God promises to provide what we need.
Philippians 4:19 NLT – And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
He created the universe and gives food to every living thing, including you and me. The same God who provides food for the animals will not allow us to go without.
Psalm 145:15-16 NLT – [15] The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. [16] When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
Luke 12:24-26 NLT – [24] Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! [25] Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? [26] And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
It’s sometimes hard to distinguish the difference between needs and wants. The promise is, the Shepherd will provide for our needs. Trust Him!
How does the Shepherd take care of us?
There are five ways the Shepherd cares for us.
One – The Shepherd answers our prayers
Matthew 7:7-11 NLT – [7] “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. [9] “You parents-if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? [10] Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! [11] So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
Two – The Shepherd provides hidden things that we do not ask for or know we need.
Ephesians 3:20 NLT – Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
God is able to do beyond all we ask or think. Look back at your life. Can you testify to God’s working in your life?
Three – The Shepherd provides us with material things.
Matthew 6:25-34 NLT – [25] “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? [26] Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? [27] Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? [28] “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, [29] yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. [30] And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? [31] “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ [32] These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. [33] Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. [34] “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Four – The Shepherd equips us spiritually.
Ephesians 6:10-12 NLT – [10] A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. [12] For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
He provides escape from temptation.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT – The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
He provides the necessary discipline in order to bring correction to our spiritual life.
Hebrews 12:6-11 NLT – [6] For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” [7] As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? [8] If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. [9] Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? [10] For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. [11] No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
Five – The Shepherd provides us with His constant love and care.
1 Peter 5:6-7 NLT – [6] So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. [7] Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Peter wrote from personal experience. He had personally witnessed the love, care, and compassion of the Shepherd.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT – [5] Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [6] Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
How does the Shepherd teach and train us?
2 Timothy 3:15-17 NLT – [15] You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. [17] God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
We have the Word of God. Good News for a sin-fallen world. The Bible is all about Jesus Christ and His perfect sacrifice for everyone sins. It is a Book of instruction from the Creator of the universe. A Guide how to live in a way that is pleasing to God.
Paul tells us in a letter to Timothy the Bible has value and people need to read it. But it is more than just reading. Meditate on it and ask the Holy Spirit to help you apply it to your life. If you don’t understand a passage, go to a commentary for clarification or another Christian or your Pastor. Don’t let it set on a shelf and gather dust. Make this a daily habit.
Satan doesn’t want us to follow the Good Shepherd.
I saw a documentary showing a Wildebeest migration. There were thousands of these animals moving from one area to another: not walking or strolling along, but running at full speed. A large male lion was lying along the outer edge of the herd watching and waiting for the right opportunity for dinner. He chose an animal that was on the very fringe of the herd.
We must focus on Jesus and follow the Shepherd’s leading. We must constantly strive to become more like Christ in all of our lives. That way we can stay strong in our faith: like being in the middle of the herd.
Satan will attack and try to get us to focus on worldly things. If we give in to his temptations, we lose our focus on the Shepherd and slide toward the edge of our faith, ready to be picked off by Satan. We cannot lose our salvation, but our effectiveness in doing God’s will suffers and that is exactly what Satan wants. We are in risk of Godly discipline if we don’t regain our focus on Jesus.
Jesus defeated Satan on the cross. He has no power over death, so he tries to disrupt the spread of the Gospel and keep people out of Heaven.
Isaiah 53:6 NLT
All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.
1 John 2:16 NLT
For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
Stay focused on Jesus and share the Gospel message with those around us.