Psalm 33:13–17 NKJV

13 The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. 14 From the place of His dwelling He looks On all the inhabitants of the earth; 15 He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. 16 No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.

We need to pray for our nation.

It is of the Lord’s mercy that former president Trump was not killed yesterday.

Today ask you to pray for Trump, those who lost loved loved one yesterday, and those who are injured.

I also ask that you pray for civility in our nation and repentance. Godly awakening and revival is the only hope for our nation.

This is not a political rant but rather a godly call for Christ like hearts.

If you rejoice that Trump was shot or if you are hoping for retaliation, I pray that you ask God to forgive your sins and to grant you a change of heart.

I am the good shepherd

Christ is the good shepherd. Not just that He is morally or ethically good, not good in just a fulfilling role, He is good in a way that is experientially good like no other.

John 10:11–15 NKJV

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

St. John (Vol. II) Chapter 10

The word καλός suggests a “goodness” that is conspicuous, that shows and approves itself to the experience and observation of all. Thus the Lord fills up the meaning of the first parable by emphasizing another element in it. There may be many shepherds worthy of the name, but he alone justifies the designation

The Word for good is KALOS. It means, beautiful, handsome, good. His goodness is something that we can behold and look upon, we can see it in our lives.

Often times the divinity of Jesus is brought into question. Many will claim that He was a good man, a prophet, a king, a wise teacher, but will deny that He was more than a mortal man. Yet in this passage Jesus claims to be the Good Shepherd. This title of shepherd was a familiar term throughout the O.T. It was used by priest and kings. In the New Testament it is used of pastors.

Yet, it is often used of God.

Psalm 23:1 NKJV

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Here Jesus claimed to be more than a man, He claimed to be God.

I. The Shepherd knows His sheep

2 Timothy 2:19 NKJV

19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Philippians 2:1–5 NKJV

1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

II. The Shepherd is known by His sheep.

This a relational expression that enlightens the reader the knowledge that Christ communes with us. How do we know His voice, by relationship and familiarity.

St. John (Vol. II) Chapter 10

Christ’s personal knowledge of his people is that which comes into their religious consciousness. They know his knowledge of them. They know him to be what he is—to be their Lord God, as they realize his personal recognition and care.

III. The Shepherd loves His sheep

John 13:1 NKJV

1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

A Handbook on the Gospel of John John 10:14–15

In one language the expression to die for them is rendered literally “to give my heart for them,” indicating not only death, but also emotional concern.

IV. The Shepherd protects His sheep

Psalm 23 NKJV

A Psalm of David. 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

The rod was used for offensive and defensive protection, and for counting snd inspecting the sheep.

The staff was used for leading the sheep and for rescuing them.

1 John 1:9 NKJV

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

V. The Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep

John 15:13 NKJV

13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

John 10:17–18 NKJV

17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

He is the good shepherd.

There is no better way to close than with the words of the psalmist.

Psalm 34:8 NKJV

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!