Saturday, July 26, 2014
Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall lack for nothing.
JESUS, SHEPHERD OF THE SHEEP
Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd," not "I am a shepherd," or even "I am a good shepherd," but I am THE good shepherd. With these words, then, Jesus was not merely giving us a pretty picture to remember him by, but was impressing upon our hearts an everlasting reality, a sure promise of His presence with all who put their trust in Him. The presence of the Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep and then took it up again to be with them always -- providing and protecting and bringing His own safely home.
So, for believing hearts, the words of the Shepherd Psalm are not merely a poem or a word picture but the Savior's promise. Jesus here promises that He will be right there with His own every day, every step of the way, in the everyday responsibilities of life and especially in times of crisis and difficulty.
Remember that Jesus is here especially speaking of spiritual needs. As our Shepherd He leads us to the green pastures of his word, comforts our hearts with the forgiveness of sins, strengthens our faith with His sure promises, and equips us for the trials and joys and challenges of life.
Through word and sacrament the great Good Shepherd gives us the water of life, that very peace of God that comes from the confidence that we are right with God through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who became man to live in our place and die in our stead -- the Shepherd laying down his life for the sheep.
That's the greatest thing our Shepherd did to restore our souls. He took the burden of sin and guilt that rightly rested on us, He took that black load on himself in the darkness at Calvary's cross. He paid the price. He suffered the consequences of our sin and guilt. O wondrous love! The Shepherd dies for sheep who loved to wander.
