JESUS WATCHES OVER US AS A SHEPHERD OVER HIS FLOCK
__________________________________________________
He tends His flock like a Shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. – Isaiah 40:11 –
This prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled in Jesus, our Good Shepherd. 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!
I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. – John 10:11
Jehovah Rohi is Hebrew for “The Lord is my Shepherd”. Jesus is identifying with this name as the promised Shepherd prophesied in Ezekiel… the One who rescues and shepherds His flock. He lays down His life out of His deep love for us.
The closer we are to the Shepherd, the safer we are from the wolves. – Jarrid Wilson, Pastor
In the Book of John, the apostle shares a perfect picture of Jesus as our Shepherd. Our Lord desires to be our refuge at all times. He shepherds us along our life journey. These attributes portray Him as the Good Shepherd of all who follow Him…
7 Attributes of Jesus, Our Good Shepherd
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 Caregiver – Our Lord is tenderhearted and compassionate. He knows us personally and intimately. He loves us and cares for our every need. He comforts the suffering, the vulnerable, the fearful. Sheep understand their shepherd’s love and stay close to him. We stay close to our Shepherd and find peace in His presence.
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 perfect will. We are His sheep who trust the Shepherd. The Holy Spirit gives us discernment to recognize His voice. Sheep never follow a stranger whose voice they do not know. 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 guides us to springs of living water that will satisfy our thirst forever. In His presence, we lack nothing.
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 safeguards His flock whom He loves. He will battle any “wolves” that come against us. Unlike the hired hand who will run away when the wolf appears, with no thought for the sheep. Jesus watches over us, protects us from harm and 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 ransom price, the ultimate sacrifice, because of His sacrificial 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 enter into salvation. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the only One who offers eternal life to all who believe. Jesus protects us from false shepherds… thieves and robbers… who attempt to bypass the Gate and steal away the sheep.
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 – Believers from the time of Christ to today are the prophesied new sheep that He has brought into His sheepfold. He has gathered us to Himself. We are united… every nation, tribe, people and language… under one Lord and one Shepherd, His for all eternity.
† Eternal Takeaway – Jesus is our Good Shepherd who shepherds us on our life journey †
