JESUS WATCHES OVER US AS A SHEPHERD OVER HIS FLOCK
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“He tends His flock like a Shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart.” – Isaiah 40:11 –
Jesus fulfilled this prophecy of Isaiah as our Good Shepherd, our Jehovah Rohi. He is our enveloping presence of love and protection. Shepherds carry the young lambs in their arms so they do not stray. Our Lord keeps us near to Him, safe and close to His heart. How priceless is His love for us!
The apostle John offers us a perfect picture of Jesus as our Shepherd. Our Lord desires to be our refuge in all times. These seven attributes portray Him as the Good Shepherd of all who follow Him…
“I am the Good Shepherd… My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.“ – John 10:11, 27
† Jesus is our Caretaker – Our Lord is tenderhearted and compassionate. He knows us personally and intimately. He loves us and cares for our every need. Our welfare is His foremost concern. Sheep know of their shepherd’s love and stay close to him. We stay close to our Shepherd and find joy in His companionship.
“He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.” – John 10:3-4
† Jesus is our Guide – He calls us by name and leads us into His will. We are His sheep who know His voice. The Holy Spirit gives us discernment to recognize the voice of our Shepherd. Sheep never follow a stranger whose voice they do not know. In fact, they run away from strangers. Once we know our Shepherd, we will only follow Him.
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full… They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” – John 10:10, 9
† Jesus is our Provider – He offers us sustenance, refreshment and rest for our souls, providing for all our needs. He leads us to excellent pastureland… into the abundant life… into the center of His will. He leads us to pure water… springs of living water… water that will satisfy our thirst forever.
“I am the Good Shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know me.… no one will snatch them out of My hand.” –John 10:14, 28
† Jesus is our Protector – Our Shepherd loves His flock. He will do anything to protect us. If we wander off, He will come searching for us. He will battle any “wolves” that come against us. Jesus talks of the hired hand who runs away when the wolf appears, with no care for the sheep. The wolf attacks and scatters the flock. Our Shepherd watches over us, protects us from evil and searches us out when we stray.
“The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep… I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”– John 10:11, 28
† Jesus is our Savior – A shepherd will risk his life for the sheep. Our Shepherd laid down His life for us, the sheep of His pasture. He paid the ultimate sacrifice out of His deep love for His own. Jesus gave His life for us on the cross and He gives His life to us eternally.
“I am the Gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved… anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.“ – John 10:9, 1
† Jesus is our Gatekeeper – He is the Gate through whom we are saved. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. We enter into salvation and eternal life only through Him. Jesus stands guard over His flock, protecting us from false shepherds. Anyone attempting to enter His sheepfold any other way to steal away His sheep will be foiled.
“I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to My voice, and there shall be one flock and one Shepherd.” – John 10:16
† Jesus is Shepherd of All – We are the new sheep that He has brought into the sheepfold. He has gathered us to Himself. All believers are now united under one Lord and one Shepherd. We are His for all eternity.
“The closer we are to the Shepherd, the safer we are from the wolves.” – Jarrid Wilson, Pastor
Jesus is our Good Shepherd, our Jehovah Rohi. He wants nothing more than our total peace and blessing. As we stay close to the Shepherd of our souls, we are safe in the comfort of His love.
