There is a Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep, who is He? Do His sheep know Him? Do they listen to His voice? Let’s begin in Psalm 23.
If the Lord [Yahweh] is the shepherd of our flock, will we be in want, lacking anything that we need?
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Ps 23:1 ESV)
Sheep usually prefer rocky high places where they are safe from predators, but if they lie down in a grassy valley, does that indicate a sense of feeling safe under the watchful eye of a Good Shepherd? Sheep are skittish around noisy rapids and waterfalls, so would a considerate shepherd lead them to a quiet place for water?
He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. (Ps 23:2 HCSB)
Sheep often follow each other, making tracks across the landscape. Do we trust that the Good Shepherd will lead us down the right track?
He revives my life; he leads me in pathways that are righteous for the sake of his name. (Ps 23:3 ISV)
Do we trust the Great Shepherd in the valley, where all the good grass grows, but also predators more easily attack? Do we have comfort in the shepherd’s rod of correction and His staff or rescue from muddy traps?
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Ps 23:4 KJV)
In the valley, in the presence of predators, has the Lord prepared a feast for us? Like sheep were anointed with oil to ward off flies, has He anointed us with oil? Is our life one of spiritual abundance?
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. (Ps 23:5 LSB)
If we follow the Great Shepherd, drink where He provides, eat where He provides, and follow the right track where He leads, what will be the result now and forever?
Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever. (Ps 23:6 NASB)
Who is this Good Shepherd? How did Jesus explain what that means?
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father. (John 10:11-18 NIV)
There is a Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep, who is He? Do His sheep know Him? Do they listen to His voice? You decide!
