Our Priest and Shepherd

Bible Passage: Hebrews 4:12–16, Hebrews 7:21–26, John 10:11–21

Summary: In Hebrews, we see Jesus as our compassionate High Priest who understands our weaknesses, intercedes for us, and offers grace in times of need. In John, Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep.

Application: This sermon will offer comfort and encouragement to believers, reminding them that Jesus understands their struggles and offers them grace and mercy. It will also challenge them to follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and model His sacrificial love in their lives.

Teaching: We learn that Jesus is not only our High Priest who intercedes for us but also the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us. He knows us intimately and cares for us deeply.

How this passage could point to Christ: These passages point to Jesus as the ultimate High Priest who offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins and as the Good Shepherd who cares for His flock. They fulfill the Old Testament prophecies of a Savior who would come to redeem and shepherd God's people.

Big Idea: Jesus is our compassionate High Priest who intercedes for us and our Good Shepherd who gives His life for His sheep, demonstrating His deep love and care for His followers.

1. Compassionate Heart of Christ

Hebrews 4:12–16

Jesus Christ , the divine Word created us and know our every thought and intention.

Christ also knows our every struggle: our temptations, our hurt, and our frustrations.

No one else knows these things but God, so only God shows us truly perfect understanding and compassion in our weakness.

We often deceive ourselves and others about just how good we are, but we cannot deceive God. It does not end well for those who make the attempt.

Jesus Christ our perfect High Priest, who not only sympathizes with our struggles but also provides us with grace and mercy.

Christ experienced our human weakness, yet remains without sin. This confirms him as our perfectly fitting High Priest who was enabled to make a way for us to be like him.

Jesus’ intimate care and concern for each of us, encouraging believers to approach Him with confidence in their times of need.

2. Christ's Continuous Care

Hebrews 7:21–26

The Old Testament priests acted as mediator of the covenant: they provided sacrifices and preparation for themselves, then for others. They role was temporary and limited.

The priests could not know all the sins of their people, and some sinned in their service.

His once-for-all sacrifice makes Him the ultimate High Priest.

Christ came as the perfect mediator of God and humankind.

Christ gave himself as the perfect sacrifice, and yet overcame death by the power that he was given.

Christ was resurrected and lives forever as our High Priest.

Highlight the complete and perfect intercession He provides, portraying His everlasting love and care for His followers.

Our perfect High Priest makes intercedes for us and resurrects us to new life in his Spirit.

Encourage believers to trust in Jesus' ongoing intercession for their sins.

3. Committed Shepherd's Sacrifice

John 10:11–13

Jesus is not only our Great High Priest but also our Good and Perfect Shepherd.

The Good Shepherd takes the risks of costly love to care for his sheep.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who willingly lays down His life for His sheep, unlike the hireling who abandons the sheep.

Someone who is simply looking to be paid for their work leaves at the first sign of trouble.

A good shepherd care for the sheep and sticks by the sheep and fends off the wolves.

Jesus gives his disciples assurance that he knows who are his, and they know him.

The Father and Son know each other intimately.

Sometimes, we know Christ imperfectly and fall into fear and doubt, and end up walking away from our Good Shepherd but he goes out of his way to find us.

It’s then up to us respond to Christ who calls us by name a gathers us together.

It’s Jesus’ commitment and sacrificial love for us that prompts us to reflect on and respond to such selfless love.

4. Caring and Calling

John 10:14–16

Jesus’ knowledge of His sheep is intimate and He desires to bring other sheep into the fold. And, we are called to speak of our Good Shepherd that they might hear his voice.

Those who are truly known as his sheep will come and will be part of the flock of our one Good Shepherd.

This highlights His inclusivity and personal relationship with each believer.

Encourage believers to appreciate the personal care and guidance Jesus, the Good Shepherd, extends to each of them, fostering a deeper relationship.

5. Conquering Lamb's Power

John 10:17–18

The authority and sovereignty of Jesus is confirmed in laying down His life and taking it up again.

The Good Shepherd dies for his sheep (his people). And his laying down his life is effective in raising his sheep (his people) up.

He has power over death and He is Perfectly qualified to be our sacrificial lamb.

This should embolden us to trust in Jesus’ power and His victory over sin and death.

6. Community's Varied Response

John 10:19–21

There are varied responses to Jesus’ declaration as the Good Shepherd, some are gathered quickly and soon after birth or born in the flock, others come later after becoming lost or entangled.

Encourage believers to recognize and stand firm in their belief of who Jesus is amidst opposition or confusion.

Highlight the importance of discerning truth from falsehood.

We need to know the difference between hirelings or overconfident sheep who think they know the way but don’t know the shepherd.

We also need to remain aware of the traps that attempt to snare us, the tempting green patch in the middle of barren field, or the thief enticing us with what sound almost like the voice of the shepherd.

We need to stay tuned to the Shepherd’s voice and recognize loving sacrificial action of the one who cares for us.

Urge believers to witness about the true identity and mission of Christ.

Sheep may bleat for two reasons: when they in distress and when they are following the shepherd.

Let us be those sheep who make happy noise in following following our Good Shepherd.

Together we see in these two passages that Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest like no other and who never fails to intercede for us, and our Good Shepherd who loves us and leads us to the both good flock and good pasture.

Challenge:

Take time to become more familiar with the shepherd’s voice, to ask him to intercede in specific ways, and to show you what to do.

This week, take time to volunteer for a local charity or help an elderly neighbor with their groceries. Consider giving up some of your afternoon to serve at a food bank or organize a community clean-up. These actions not only model the sacrificial love of Jesus but also foster a sense of community that encourages others to reflect on their actions and attitudes toward serving others.