THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
Psalm 23
Psalm 23 is one of the most loved passages of scripture. David states, ‘THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD.” David speaks as one with a strong sense of pride and devotion. It is almost as if he is saying, “Look at whom my shepherd is. Behold Him. Meditate upon Him.”
Let us take a few moments and behold the Lord as my shepherd. In the NT the Lord is described as a shepherd by putting three different adjectives before the word shepherd.
John 10:14,15 THE GOOD SHEPHERD IS MY SHEPHERD
Shepherds have been known to lose their lives for their sheep due to circumstances beyond their control. However, Jesus is the only shepherd whoever chose to die. Other shepherds may have died guarding their sheep, but only Jesus chose to die in the final sense of the world. Jesus did not have to die for the sheep, but he chose to die for the sheep. His was not an but rather it was an appointment.
Nails did not hold Him to the cross; love held Him there. He died by his own choosing.
AS THE GOOD SHEPHERD JESUS DEALT WITH THE PENALTY OF SIN.
Hebrews 13:20,21 THE GREAT SHEPHERD IS MY SHEPHERD
A good shepherd is not necessarily a great shepherd, but Jesus is the great shepherd because of His resurrection. How does a flock of sheep benefit when their shepherd dies for them? They have lost now their sense of protection and are exposed and vulnerable to predators. They have no one to lead them to green pastures and still waters.
BUT CHRIST IS RISEN, and the resurrection makes the good shepherd the great shepherd. “It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession fo us,” (Romans 8:34).
Not only did the LORD die for the sheep, but HE lives for the sheep.
AS THE GREAT SHEPHERD JESUS DEALS WITH THE POWER OF SIN.
“It is good to have friends in high places, but it best to have friends in the highest place.”
I PETER 5:4 THE CHIEF SHEPHERD IS MY SHEPHERD The shepherd of the sheep is going to return for His sheep. John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart...” 1 out of every 30 verses in NT refer to His coming again.
AS THE CHIEF SHEPHERD, JESUS WILL DEAL WITH THE PRESENCE OF SIN.
David knew the shepherd . He was aware that the Lord was fully able to take care of his past, present, and future. Do you know the LORD as your shepherd?
A little misquoted Psalm 23 once by saying, “The LORD is my Shepherd. I’ve got all I want.”
Do you know the shepherd that satisfies? The only shepherd that can take care of the penalty, power, and presence of sin?
Several years ago a great orator stood to recite the 23rd Psalm. As he gave his recitation of the the Psalm, the audience listen attentively. When he had finished everyone rose to their feet and clapped at the job he had done.
Next an elderly man stood, and he also recited the 23rd Psalm. As he quoted the 23rd Psalm, sobs could be heard throughout the auditorium. Before he finished, it was reported that there was not a dry eye in the house.
After the event, the orator was asked why was there such a dramatic difference in the reaction of audience to the same Psalm? His answer was simply, “I know the 23rd Psalm, but he knows the shepherd of the 23rd Psalm.”
Do you know the 23rd Psalm or do you know the shepherd of the 23rd Psalm?
It is not enough to own Him as a shepherd, or as the shepherd, but do you know Him as your [my] shepherd?
Knowing Jesus as your - my shepherd makes all the difference in a happy life, happy , and a happy eternity!
