Jesus is the Good Shepherd

Verses: Psalms 23 : 1 - 6

Song inspired by the chapter:  Song has been uploaded from YouTube.com and is not my original.

My thoughts about the verses:

Many of us know this verse.  I know in my past that this chapter of the book of Psalms has been used at numerous funerals that I have attended.  It is a comfort to those that are mourning that God is the Good Shepherd.  Protecting our loved one and walking with them as they go into the next life. 

I want to look at the verse in another way.  To focus on how this chapter can help us in our own life.  If we pay close attention to the verses we will see that the words apply to our life not only in Heaven but, also as we walk on this Earth.

The story is symbolic to the actions that take place when a Shepherd is working with its flock.  This is not just the story of an average Shepherd but the Great Shepherd.  One that put his life on the cross as a way of protecting us.  If you look at the main purpose of the Shepherd is to defend the flock so that it can provide the family with the goods that are needed. 

The Sheep are important during the time this Psalm was written.  The sheep provided many things for the community.  First the sheep provide wool for clothing.  The Sheep provide meat for the family.  The sheep also provide the sacrifice that was needed to please God.  Yet, what we want us to realize that we are the sheep.  Yet, we are important to the Shepherd.  We provide a voice for the good news.  We provide love for those that are in need.  We also provide ourselves to help those that are in need.

The first and most important thing about his chapter is the recognition that God is the Shepherd.  That God knows each one of his flock.  Because Jesus is such a perfect Shepherd the flock responds when they are called. 

The necessities that are needed for sheep to survive are lush grass to nourish on.  A good shepherd makes sure that they go to lands that are full of grass.  Jesus provides our nutrients in which we need to survive.  The Word of God is the food in which we survive on.  We are to read and make the Word of God part of your life.  When we consume the Words we learn how we should live.

A sheep needs water to survive.  The shepherd makes sure that the water is slow and pure.  Jesus provides the water we need to survive.  The very blood of Jesus is the gift of everlasting life.  The water is pure and clean.  We are washed in the blood of Jesus and washed clean.  Through this our souls are restored.

A shepherd will make sure that the path that the sheep walk is an easy clear path.  One in which they will not hurt.  One in which they can easy follow.  Jesus provides the path of our life.  When we follow Jesus we walk a path that guides us to help others.  Our life is fulfilled because we are giving ourselves to others.  The path is laid with the knowledge that Jesus fills our souls with.

The shepherd would make sure to be with the sheep through all things.  The shepherd is always on guard.  There are so many things that are a threat to the lamb.  The shepherd has to make sure that they are prepared if an animal would come to injure the sheep within their care.  The sheep are always in threat.  The shepherd uses all tools at hand to protect and guide the sheep to safety.

Jesus protects us from all things.  The greatest comfort that we can have is knowing that no matter what happens Jesus is there protecting us.  Think on this a moment, we have nothing to fear in this life because Jesus is our center.  We are guaranteed that those that accept Jesus in their life will receive everlasting life.  Because of this knowledge there is nothing to ever fear.  God provides our comfort, strength and peace not only in this life but in the next life.

Shepherds provide meals for the lambs.  If there is no grass they will work to provide other nutrients.  The oil used is to heal the wounds that occur to the sheep.  The oil makes sure that the sheep can get over injuries.  In our life God provides all we need.  God is protecting us even we are confronted by enemies.  No matter how hard this life is we have God making sure that we can overcome it.  Through the sacrifice of Jesus we are made whole.  No matter what has or will happen in our life God forgives us if we accept Jesus in our life.  We only have to ask Jesus in our life for our transgressions to be forgiven.

Lastly, if we have Jesus in our life we have peace following us in our life.  Jesus provides sanctuaries here on Earth in which we can feel safe in.  This might not be the normal church home.  We might have to provide it in such things as this blog.  Places where we can feel safe and comforted.  Yet, not only are we provided a place to worship on this Earth we will have a place in Heaven.  Jesus made it clear when he left that he was going to prepare a place for us to live.  There are many rooms in Heaven so that we all have a place. 

Yet, to get that gift of everlasting life we must accept the gift that the Good Shepherd is offering.  The gift is already paid for by Jesus  all that is needed for us to have everlasting life is to give our life over to God.  When we do this God guarantees us everlasting life in Heaven.  In Heaven we will have no fears and we will be made whole.

Prayer:

Jesus we thank you for your sacrifice.  God we praise you for  sending the perfect lamb into this world.  We thank you Jesus for the love you give us each day.  Help us  to feel your presence.  Help us to never fear.  Help us turn our lives over to you so that we may have the free gift you want to give us.  In the name of the Good Shepherd we pray.  Amen

Questions:

Is the Good Shepherd your shepherd?  Have you turned over your life to the one that will provide all of your needs?  Are you willing to share the good news with others?  Are you holding back anything from this life?  Is it time to give all to Jesus so that you can feel the peace and strength of God?