Jesus is the Shepherd

April 8th, 2021

By Jessica Visser

If you don't know much about the Bible, you probably know that. After all "The Lord is my Shepherd..." is a pretty popular verse.

But this verse here gets a bit more specific.

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. - John 10:11 ESV

He's
THE.
GOOD.
Shepherd.

He's the only one. And He's Good. I get a bit disheartened watching the news or scrolling through social media (I am sure I'm not the only one). Not because I have a specific political agenda or because I am for or against a certain cause. I get disheartened at how the sheep are following after shepherds with little 's'es who are not Good and certainly are not God.

He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. - John 10:12-13

It's not only in America, but around the world; it would seem like people are realizing that the shepherd's they were following are failing. Politicians. Monarchs. Leaders. Certainty of a job or a paycheck. Health. Routines. How things have always been... You name it; it's been shaken. Many are now astray, without a shepherd. Without a hope.

And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes." - Luke 19:41-42

May our hearts weep like Jesus over Jerusalem, seeing them with His eyes, and praying that He would open their eyes to the only true and good Shepherd.

I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. - John 10:14-15

The sheep of the Good Shepherd know His voice. And when the world loses its grip, we have something to hold onto. We have a sure Friend who won't give up on us, or run away when there's trouble. He knows us. And we know Him. We know His character. His love for the "unlovable." His wisdom. His sovereignty.

And the peace that His sovereignty brings. Sovereignty means He rules over EVERYTHING. Every authority (physical or spiritual); every disease; every disaster; every circumstance. He's got it.

So I think I will act a little more sheep-like today. With my green pastures and still waters, I will rest my head on my Good Shepherd. He's in control and I don't have to be. With Him I have all I need. What an honor to hear Him and to know His voice.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. - John 10:27

I invite you to rest with your Shepherd.

Be like a