Jesus Christ is our Lord and shepherd. He is the great shepherd of the sheep (Hebrews 13:20), the good shepherd (John 10:11), the shepherd and bishop of our souls (1 Peter 2:25). We are his sheep and if we follow him (John 10:27) he will give us eternal life and no man will be able to pluck us out of his hand (John 10:28).
Psalm 23 (A Psalm of David)
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth 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 thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth 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 for ever.
If we abide in him, and his words in us, we will lack nothing (John 15:7). As the good shepherd, Jesus provides all of our needs: food (Luke 4:4, John 6:51), water (John 4:10) and rest (Matthew 11:28). As God of our righteousness he hears our call (Psalms 4:1), heals our soul (Psalms 19:7) and leads us in ways we have not known, making darkness light and crooked things straight (Isaiah 42:16).
Passing through this world as strangers and pilgrims (1 Peter 2:11) — especially in these last days when wickedness abounds (2 Timothy 3:1-5) and we are surrounded by mockers (Jude 1:18) and scoffers (2 Peter 3:3) — we might find ourselves sentenced to death and hated by all men (Luke 21:16-17). If that happens, we must not be fearful but faithful unto death and we will receive a crown of life (Revelation 2:10). Praise the Lord, that death will have no sting (1 Corinthians 15:55) and that we’ve been given victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).
We can rest in the knowledge that all has been prepared for us (John 14:2-3), that we have been anointed by the Holy Spirit who teaches us all things (1 John 2:27). Our cup truly does runneth over for the Lord’s mercy endures for ever (1 Chronicles 16:34).
Amen, and Amen.
