Jesus, Our Shepherd

Today we are going to pivot from the book of Genesis to probably the most famous Psalm in the Bible. This week was Vacation Bible School, where we had an Irish theme, and focused on Jesus as shepherd. Psalm 23:1 was the focal verse for the week. This psalm is one of the most well known psalms in all the Bible. Many have it memorized. We will be looking at the 23rd psalm today.

Shepherding is one of the oldest professions in the Bible, and therefore, human history. Genesis 4:2 says Abel, Adam’s son, was a keeper of sheep. Abel was the first shepherd. So the shepherding profession goes way back and it provides a framework for understanding so many things about scripture and our relationship with God. It is used as a metaphor so many times throughout the Bible. Today, we will jump primarily between Psalm 23 and John 10 to look at Jesus’ role as a shepherd, and us as his sheep.

Psalm 23 NASB95

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The exact context of this psalm is unclear. It is attributed to David, but we do not know when he wrote it. We do know that David was a shepherd before he was a king. So, it may be that he wrote this while he was a shepherd or later as a king, looking back on his time as a shepherd and drawing from that how God shepherds his people. When we see God as shepherd, we gain an appreciation for what he does for us.

A shepherd is not always the owner of the sheep. A shepherd is typically a hired hand whose job is to care for and guard the sheep. A good day as a shepherd is probably a very uneventful day. If the sheep do their job, (they don’t wander off, get attacked, etc.), then it is probably relatively easy to care for sheep. You let them out of the pen in the morning, let them graze out in pastures, and you put them back at night. It’s the variables that get tricky. When a predator comes, when a sheep wanders off from the herd, or gets injured, the job gets tricky.

Psalm 23 begins by showing us one of the benefits of having God as his shepherd. He does not want, which doesn’t mean David doesn’t want his shepherd. It means that David lacks or desires nothing. God is his supply for everything he needs. Verse two continues the shepherd and sheep metaphor illustrating God leading his people to the resources they need. Green pastures and quiet waters are both safe and provide necessary resources. God always provides what we need. He is our source and supplier.

If the second verse addresses physical needs like hunger and thirst, verse three addresses our spiritual need. We need restoration of soul. We need to be guided in the paths of righteousness. Sin has distorted our desires. We have a natural tendency to try and satisfy our deepest desires with God’s creation instead of the Creator. We are worshippers at heart, and we seek to throw ourselves at things that are not God. When those things fail to satisfy, the longing remains, but our fatigue grows. We need our soul refreshed. God guides us on the path of righteousness, restoring our soul. When we allow God and his way of living to satisfy us, we flourish.

God does this for His name’s sake, that is, for his own reputation. God doesn’t have an ego that needs protecting. He knows that the more his children experience life according to his design, his children will go out and invite others to become his children. God wants to be known as a great shepherd. He is a great shepherd. But our lives are a reflection of his shepherding.

Just like no shepherd has ever not lost a sheep, no Christian is completely free from danger. Sheep have a tendency to wander off and get themselves in trouble. We have a tendency to drift from God’s design for our lives and land in trouble. Sometimes the world’s trouble finds us. David had a lot of enemies. Some people despise you for whatever reason they can come up with. Verse four evokes this image of traveling down a treacherous road, which back then was common for thieves and bandits to wait for passing travelers.

Even though David knows dangers await him (he did fight off lions and bears as a shepherd), he fears no evil because he knows God is with him. You and I have the presence of the Holy Spirit in us, so there is no place we go that God is not. What are we afraid of? We fear discomfort more than we fear disobedience.

The rod and staff are both symbols of authority. God is in charge. In keeping with the shepherding imagery, let’s take a look at a shepherd’s crook. There are two main parts. The hook on the end was used to hook a sheep and keep it from entering a trap, falling into a crack, a hole, or a pit, or simply changing the sheep’s direction. The straight end was used to fight off attackers. The shepherd’s crook in the Good Shepherd’s hand should bring comfort to us as it is a means of protection and guidance.

Our good shepherd is not just a great protector and guide. He is a tremendous host. A shepherd would never invite the sheep to the dinner table. They belong in the sheep pen. But our shepherd doesn’t keep us out in the pen. He gives us a seat at his table. He chose you for a relationship with him. He chose you. Sit in that for a minute. Your heavenly Father chose you. Some of you don't know your father. Some of you were abandoned by your father. Some of you have estranged relationships with your father. But God, your eternal Father chose you. He came after you. He wants you. He invites you. You are a big deal in his eyes! In Christ there is a relationship with a Father who showers you with abundance in blessings.

Goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life because that is the product of a relationship with a God who is at his core merciful and good. He treats us not as we deserve. The Bible says we deserve death for our rebellion against God, but Jesus says in John 10:11,

John 10:11 NASB95

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

God loves us so much that he sent his son Jesus to pay the penalty for our sin on our behalf. He laid down his life for his sheep. Our shepherd took what we deserve upon himself, so we might live and get a seat at his table. This is not because we were such good people, but because we were rebellious and God is good and merciful.

Because Jesus is our Good Shepherd, we can rest assured He will provide the care and protection we need.

Are you feeling a little uneasy about your relationship with God? Do you ever get the feeling that maybe you have outrun his love? Do you ever think you have been so bad that God wouldn’t accept you? Can I tell you one of the biggest lies ever told? Saint Peter is standing at the pearly gates deciding who gets into heaven and who does not. This is false. This comes from an interpretation of Matthew 16:19, where Jesus declares he will give the keys of the kingdom to Peter. This presents an idea that there is a line of deceased people who have to make their case to Peter as to why they should be let in. Nothing about this is biblical.

Your entrance into Heaven depends on one thing. Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, who gave his life for you to save it? Do you believe that he died for you and was resurrected on the third day? Your salvation is not dependent on your performance. It is on Jesus’ performance, and he performed perfectly.

The same God who put Jesus on the cross for you is the same God who isn’t going to kick you out of his house because you misbehaved. He will require you to agree with him to walk with him, but his love for you never changes.

Because Jesus is a good shepherd, you will always receive the care and protection you need. Do you need protection and guidance? Look around. Have you wandered from the safety the shepherd provides? It’s time to return home. Are you trying to set the rules for him? Remember you are the sheep, not the shepherd. If you will allow Jesus the right to shepherd you, you will find that he will always cover your needs.

What do you need to trust Jesus, your good shepherd for today?