Jesus, Our Comforting Friend (2)

A Shepherd’s Comfort

During a recent conflict in the Middle East, Ron and Joke Jones, who serve with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Israel, wrote in their prayer letter:

The result of the fighting and killing has left a profound sense of discouragement that hovers over the country. Several times we have come into closer contact with this conflict than our comfort zone allowed.

Yesterday a friend said she was watching a shepherd caring for his flock near the area where guns are fired. Every time the shots rang out, the sheep scattered in fright. The shepherd touched each of them with his staff and spoke calmly to them, and the sheep settled down because they trusted the shepherd. Then another shot sounded, and the same routine happened. Each time, the sheep needed the shepherd to orient them again and to reassure them they were safe.

We are like those sheep. When we are frightened, our Shepherd reaches out and touches us with his staff, speaking words of calm and comfort. —Greg Asimakoupoulos, Mercer Island, Washington[1]

We know about the comfort that Psalm 23 brings to each of us. It is called the Shepherd’s Psalm and tells us about how the Lord is our Shepherd and He cares for us. In Psalm 23 the “rod” and the “staff” are mentioned. Ken Bailey studied the shepherding of the Bible and learned..

The Hebrew word here translated “rod” (shbt) has a long history. Its meanings include rod, scepter and weapon. It does not refer to a “walking stick.” Rather it is the shepherd’s primary offensive weapon for protecting the flock from enemies, be they wild animals or human thieves. The instrument itself is about two and a half feet long with a mace-like end into which heavy pieces of iron are often embedded. It becomes a formidable weapon.

…The shepherd’s staff is not for defending the flock from any external threat, but for caring for the sheep as he leads them daily in search of food, drink, tranquility and rest. These two instruments are a pair. The first (the rod) is used to protect the flock from external threats. The second (the staff) serves to gently assist the flock in its daily grazing. The sight of these two instruments comfort the sheep.[2]

Jesus, Our Shepherd Comforts His Friends

You would think that with an introduction about the 23rd Psalm that we would look into the psalm, but I mentioned it because that is who Jesus is. Now I want to take us into the NT to see a powerful example of Jesus comforting His disciples.

Luke 24 occurs after the Resurrection of Jesus. The disciples were in the middle of a time of uncertainty. They were confused and afraid. They were running through a thousand emotions just like we would, or maybe like we are struggling with even today. That is why this passage speaks to me so wonderfully today.

Luke 24:36–49 NIV

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

I think this passage is really amazing. Setting the fact that Jesus is risen aside (we’ll come back to that in a few weeks). In the middle of their chaos, Jesus shows up! I want to look at 3 realities that ought to give us comfort – (1) His presence, (2) His ways, and (3) His deliverance. I’m excited to point these things out to you this morning.

3 Realities of Comfort Christ Gives His Children

His Comforting Presence

Just the other day I reconnected with a friend who I hadn’t seen in almost 20 years. We got caught up with one another’s lives. He learned about my grandkids and what and where my kids were. I learned about his move, his kids, his wife, and family. Then we just reminisced about the stories that we shared together. It was comforting to reconnect.

Just a few verses ago, Jesus comforted the disciples on the road to Emmaus…now He shows up to comfort the disciples.

Luke 24:36–40 NIV

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.

In the middle of their chaos, Jesus shows up. We often talk about feeling the presence of the Lord, especially when we are here together worshipping. What does it mean? I suppose it can feel different to each person but for me it feels like someone has walking into the room. It may feel like when your hair stands on end or it can simply feel like a reassurance of His peace, authority, love, Lordship, mercy, healing, or many more impressions. When this impression takes place, often, many others feel a similar impression. It is always good to feel the presence of the Lord – even when it leads to a time of repentance!

Not only is His presence comforting, but also His comment. He said, “Peace be unto you”.

This is a powerful statement because it is filled with several possible means or all of these meanings:

1. It was a blessing – He wished them peace

2. It was a declaration – They were at peace with God!

3. It was a command – He inspired them with peace

4. It was freedom - He blotted out all offences which might have spoiled their peace.[3]

So, I think one area of comfort to the disciples and to us is the comfort Jesus offers in His presence.

His Comforting Ways

Another way that He comforts us is in His ways. We would all agree that actions speak louder than words.

Luke 24:40–44 NIV

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

We lived in a house where the prior resident had died. I didn’t tell Cindy initially, I figured it would ‘weird her out’. Imagine what the disciples were thinking though, Jesus was whipped, pierced by nails, stabbed by a lance, and dead for 3 days. What is going to happen when He eats something???

I imagine that His words and presence were comforting but their hearts were still racing. Now what was going to happen when He eats and drinks with them? But, to their disbelief…or, perhaps, reassurance…He ate and drank. Their heart rates came down. All is good!

Jesus loves for us to believe in Him and be at rest. I learned a lesson earlier this week while I was working on the house earlier this week. While on the ladder I heard Charlotte call out, “Pops!” She was announcing that she was home and that I needed to recognize her. Of course, she assumed that I would be pleased to see her…which, of course, is true. I thought about it right afterwards and imagined how our Heavenly Father reacts to seeing His children when we take time to consider Him, read His words, worship, or pray to Him. He is delighted!

Jesus is there. His presence and His ways comfort them.

His Comforting Deliverance

There is still one more way that Jesus comforts the disciples – and us… It is with His promise of forgiveness of sins and the Person of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 24:45–49 NIV

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

The disciples are within a few days of being set on fire to spread to Gospel of grace and mercy. It would be the power of the Holy Spirit that would catapult them from being huddled in this room to standing before kings. Jesus had promised the Person of the Holy Spirit to come and empower them, comfort them, and teach them. Jesus instructed them to stay in the city (that is, in Jerusalem) until they were clothed with power from on high. Jesus promised them the power (the Spirit in them), which would enable them to be witnesses (Acts 1:8). After his exaltation at his ascension, the power would be given to them (Acts 2:1–4).[4]

That power is available to us today. God wants us to be filled with His Spirit and also enjoy the same fullness of the Spirit that the disciples enjoyed!

This would have been a life changing encounter – Jesus shows up in person, He demonstrates His love through His actions (or ways) and reminds them of His amazing grace and gift of the Holy Spirit. These are all comforts that we as believers have today.

Jesus, Your Help in Times of Need

Our lives are filled with things that make us want to get back in bed. Tires go flat. Water heaters break and flood homes. Friends and loved ones get admitted to the hospital. Paychecks run out before the bills are paid. However, you have someone that you can turn to when times are chaotic.

I like the illustration that I shared at the beginning of the message about the shepherd as he comforted the sheep each time the shots rang out in the distance. We behave exactly the same way. We get nervous and flighty. We try to do things in our own strength but God is saying, “Peace be with you.” And He is saying the same thing today.

I love the practicality of the Word of God. Although the disciples were seeing something amazing that played out in front of them once (well, Jesus spent 40 more days with them), we can have the same comfort in every minute of our lives if we will just trust Him.

Mem­bers of Gen­er­a­tion Z — indi­vid­u­als born between 1995 and 2010 — are grow­ing up in an age of increased stress and anx­i­ety. Some 70% of teens across all gen­ders, races and fam­i­ly-income lev­els say that anx­i­ety and depres­sion are sig­nif­i­cant prob­lems among their peers, accord­ing to the Pew Research Cen­ter.

I’m giving you the cure that has worked for every generation – JESUS. Let Him be present. Learn His ways and manners. And, walk in His power and deliverance.

[1]Craig Brian Larson and Phyllis Ten Elshof, 1001 Illustrations That Connect(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2008), 113–114. [2] Taken from The Good Shepherd: A Thousand-Year Journey from Psalm 23 to the New Testament by Kenneth E. Bailey, Copyright (c) 2014, pp.50, 53 by Kenneth E. Bailey. Published by InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL. www.ivpress.com [3]Joseph S. Exell, The Biblical Illustrator: St. Luke, vol. III (London: Francis Griffiths, 1904), 656. [4]Bruce B. Barton et al., Luke, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1997), 570. [5]Craig Brian Larson and Phyllis Ten Elshof, 1001 Illustrations That Connect(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2008), 114.