Christ, The Good Shepherd
J. Allen Blair
Perhaps, you have read or quoted the Twenty-third Psalm scores of times. What is meant by the words The Lord is my shepherd?
Jesus Christ spoke of Himself as the Door of entry into eternal life by saying I am the Door. He also spoke of Himself as the Good Shepherd. In John 10:11 He said, I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. Here Christ foretells the sacrifice He was to make on the cross, providing salvation for all who would believe on Him. Truly, He is the Good Shepherd.
Out of the horrors of World War II comes the story of Fred Mitchell-the head shepherd in North Somerset, England-who was decorated by the king for his bravery in civil defense. One cold winter night, bombs were dropped, setting fire to the sheepfold which was sheltering 34 ewes and lambs. Again and again, Mitchell fought his way into the burning pens and carried out the lambs in his arms, followed by the ewes. At midnight, he went to another part of the field to comfort 107 ewes, which were near lambing time. This shepherd risked his life for his sheep-a highly commendable deed.
But consider the Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. He not only risked His life, but He gave His life for everyone in the entire world. He suffered, shed His blood, and died that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Christ could easily have evaded the cross, but of His own will He allowed Himself to be nailed to the accursed tree, that we might be saved.
What was the motive behind all of this? What was the motive behind His sacrifice? It was His great love. God says in Jeremiah 31:3 I have loved thee with an everlasting love. We read in John 3:16, God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Since Christ fully provided eternal salvation for you, all you need to do is to receive Him into your life. His promise is, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish (John 10:27,28).
If you have not believed on Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd who provided your salvation, believe right now. Turn to Him at this moment and be saved. After you come to Him for salvation, then you may appropriate the next promise which is recorded in John 10:14. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep. To know His sheep means that He cares for them. How assuring for the believer to realize that because our Lord understands our need, He will always take care of us.
Isaiah gives us a beautiful picture of this consoling truth in the fortieth chapter of his prophecy, where he writes, 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. All who have trusted the Savior have experienced this, for the Lord Jesus Christ is truly the answer to every worry and problem in life. We can go to Him with all our cares and burdens and leave them with Him. He says in 1 Peter 5:7. Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you.
What is your problem today? What are you troubled about? What is your care? If you have believed on Jesus Christ, you should leave it with Him. He is the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep.
A Sunday school teacher asked one of her pupils several questions during the course of the class period. Each time, the little girl answered "Jesus." The teacher finally asked, "Who led the children of Israel through the wilderness?" "Jesus," was the reply. "Who smote the rock from which flowed water?" "Jesus," she repeated. The teacher asked, "Why is it? Whenever I ask you a question, you always answer ‘Jesus'?" "Well," said Janie, "the other day I heard Mother tell Daddy that Jesus is the answer to every question."
That is certainly true in our lives, isn't it? Whatever the need, Jesus is the answer. If you know Him as your Lord, you can trust Him, for we read in Hebrews 1:3 that He upholds all things by the word of His power. There is nothing our Lord cannot do. He is Almighty. God tells us in Colossians 2:3, In Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Why don't we trust, believe, and take Him at His word? He is the Good Shepherd.
An engineering firm advertised with these words:
Got any rivers you think are uncrossable?
Got any mountains you can't tunnel through?
We specialize in the wholly impossible,
And we can do the things no one else can do.
Now, of course, no engineering company nor any human being could consistently live up to these claims. But the Lord Jesus Christ can. That is why I am telling you right now to take Him at His Word. He says, If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you (Matthew 17:20).
A little boy in Sunday school was asked to quote Psalm 23:1 which reads, The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. But He said, "The Lord is my Shepherd, that's all I want."
If you have Christ, you too have all you want, for He can supply every need. But note, please, that our Lord not only said I am the Good Shepherd and know My sheep. He also said, And I am known of mine. Those last words mean that those who trust Christ for salvation ought also to trust Him for all things. I am known of mine.
Our Lord, the Good Shepherd, has promised to sustain His sheep. But we, as the sheep of His flock, must be willing to completely entrust ourselves to His care and leadership. God expects us to come voluntarily. He cannot lead unwilling sheep. He goes before us, leading us by paths He first walked, vanquishing the dangers and bearing the sacrifices. We are simply to be the followers. Consequently, we can trust Him. We can believe Him.
I hope you are trusting Him for everything. If not, say, "Lord, I will believe you. I will trust you." And if you don't know Him as your Lord, I urge you to turn to Him right now and realize that He died for your sins and wants to save you for all eternity.
Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).
All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out (John 6:37).
Book Offer-Living Courageously
In an effort to spread the teaching of God's Word, we are offering the book, Living Courageously, free this month. If your request is postmarked or emailed by the last day of February 2009, then we will send you this book, free and postage paid (USA addresses only).
It is based on the the life of Daniel, the prophet. This is a relavent study of prophecy, a much neglected topic in our day, and it is a study of Daniel's example for contemporary life. Dr. Blair's books are properly described as devotional commentaries: not just daily fluff, but practical for daily living, and doctrinally educational. Here's your opportunity to try one of his books free!
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New Year and Old Habits?
While you're still reeling from the start of the New Year, you may have been less than successful in maintaining your list of resolutions. Whether it is weight, substance abuse, or attitude, old habits can ruin our lives. You Can Kick The Habit is a message by Dr. Blair in tract form, and you have a free copy waiting to be picked up from Glad Tidings. Do that by writing, calling, or emailing us this month.
Survive! Enter the Door
For we which have believed do enter into rest (Hebrews 4:3a)