When the wise men came to see Jesus the Bible says that they came to see Jesus the good shepherd. They were following a prophecy that was given by the prophet Micah where it says
Matthew 2:6
6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”
One of God’s gifts that He gave us on that Christmas morning was the birth of Jesus the good shepherd.
So in this article, I hope to show you what the term Jesus the good shepherd really means. I think when you are done reading this you will have a new appreciation for the awesome gift that God have us by sending Jesus to planet earth.
Jesus the Good Shepherd Fulfills Psalm 23
In Psalm 23 King David writes about the Lord being our shepherd. I think you will find that everything that David talks about in what a shepherd is you will find in who Jesus is to us as our good shepherd.
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.
How Is Jesus Our Good Shepherd In Psalm 23?
Jesus causes us not to want
In verse 1 we see that the Lord is a shepherd that causes us not to want or lack anything. Jesus is that shepherd that causes us not to want. He supplies all of our needs. (Phil 4:19)
He knows all that we have a need and provides just in time.
I have found that I may not always get everything I think I need but I do get everything I really need. Jesus is our good shepherd and provides for us abundantly
Our Shepherd leads us beside still waters
Jesus causes us to rest in green pastures. He leads us in the quiet and still places. He gives us peace that surpasses all understanding. (Phil. 4:7)
He calls all that are struggling under heavy burdens and turmoil to come to Him so He can replace the weight of the world that is on their shoulders with His ways which are light and not burdensome. (Matt. 11:28-30)
Our Shepherd restores our souls
He restores your soul.
Many times when we think of the word soul we think of the spirit. The soul in the Bible is usually talking about something different. It is talking about restoring your will, mind, and emotions.
Jesus the good shepherd not only cares for your spiritual life, but He cares for your mental and emotional health as well. He will restore your soul. He will bring you to a place of wholeness body, soul, and spirit.
He never leaves us or forsakes us
Jesus the good shepherd will never leave us or forsake us.
When calamity strikes, even death, He will walk with us. It doesn’t say we will be spared from trials and tough times, but the Bible teaches that Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. (Heb. 13:5)
The rod and staff of the shepherd were not to use on the sheep except to gently nudge them back to the fold. They were used to protect the sheep from those that would destroy them. They were used to protect the sheep from wolves and predators. That is why they were a comfort to David.
He blesses us when our enemies want Him to curse us
He blesses us when our enemies want to see evil befall us. He provides a Thanksgiving feast while our enemies are looking for our destruction.
Jesus said that He came to give us life and life more abundantly. (John 10:10)
Jesus; the provider of goodness and mercy
Finally, we are promised that goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our life.
Jesus has provided for that goodness and mercy. God’s grace is His goodness. Grace means that we are given what we do not deserve.
Jesus has provided for mercy. Mercy is God not giving to us what we do deserve.
Goodness and mercy follow all who choose to receive the free gift of God that is in a personal relationship with Jesus. We have the promise that we can dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of our life.
In the old testament, the house of the Lord was where God dwelt. Now He dwells in the hearts of men.
You can have that promise in your life. All you need to do is invite Jesus to come and live inside of you. If you would like to do that, then I recommend that you go to Peace With God and pray the prayer they share with you there and start your new life in Him.
Take a moment and think about how Jesus, the good shepherd, has been good to you.
Take a moment, whether during the Christmas or another time of the year, and consider how Jesus has been the good shepherd to you.
Take a moment to thank our heavenly Father for the awesome gift He has given us by sending that babe in a manger to an innkeeper’s barn, and how that babe not only became the savior of the world but your personal savior as well.
Now that is something to think about!
What a savior!
Blessings
Pastor Duke