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Psalm 23 / 1 Peter 2:19-25 / Luke 15:11-32

The 4th Servant Song - Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Jesus, our example

He committed no sin - God’s Law

He did not deceive -

He did not revile/insult in return -

He had no need to put others down

(He wasn’t threatened)

Philippians 2:6 “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,”

He did not threaten when suffering

Threats are empty

He could have followed through

Matthew 26:53 “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?”

He understood the purpose of the suffering

He bore our sins

2 Corinthians 5:21 “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

For a Purpose

1 Peter 2:23 “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”

1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”

He healed us; restored us

Wounds

Shepherd

How are we suffering?

Justly? Unjustly? (We’re called to that one)

fair vs just

Romans 4:4 “Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.”

Luke 23:39-41 “One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.””

John 4 - the woman forgot her shame

John 2 - Jesus did not allow the host to be shamed

About returning...

It requires being honest about your current state

Luke 15:14-17 “And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!”

Shame is no reason to stay away; It is a lie

Luke 15:21-22 “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.”

He is always waiting , no matter how many times

Luke 15:20 “And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”

Beloved, whether you are realizing for the first time your need to be a part of the flock of Christ, or whether you are one who has wandered off; return to the Good Shepherd. Christ Jesus alone in this whole universe is the Shepherd and overseer of souls. You’ve been the prodigal; it’s time to return. Come Home.