My Shepherd

”Good Shepherd” Stained glass at St. John the Baptist, Ashfield, NSW Australia

Isaiah spoke of Him:

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11 KJV)

He told us of Himself:

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11 KJV)

There is so much beauty in Christ’s relating to us His role as the good shepherd.

David knew of His protection, His provision, His role in our lives when he wrote the 23^rd Psalm.

(1) A Psalm of David.

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.

Psalms 23:1-6 KJV

He provides for me abundantly. He tends to my hunger and thirst. I love that He restoreth my soul, and for that I am eternally grateful. The most important to my life, though is that I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. He made provision for that, too – recognized by Isaiah, who may not have understood why he wrote of two separate descriptions of the coming Messiah. In one He is the conquering king, in the other the meek and mild shepherd.

Moses asked for such a leader:

And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying, Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd. (Numbers 27:15-17 KJV)

The word pastor is used often as a minister of a Christian church. It fits – it originally meant a shepherd, one who tends to a flock. And most of our pastors do a good job, but they must answer to the Great Shepherd. It is to these men that Peter wrote:

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (1 Peter 5:2-4 KJV)

Pastors are accountable to God for watching over our souls:

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:17 KJV)