It’s a lot of fun seeing the various ways that the Bible describes who we are in Christ. Each description of us implies a description of Jesus. We saw this yesterday when we were the branch. Yet we cannot be a branch without Jesus as the vine.
A similar truth is revealed in today’s metaphor. You are a sheep, which makes Jesus a shepherd. The idea of God being a shepherd starts way back in the Old Testament. God even used the term to describe the leaders of Israel in relationship with the people Israel. Jesus picks up the idea of being the Good Shepherd that lays down His life to protect His sheep.
Sheep are pretty helpless on their own. They need someone to take care of them. Left to themselves, sheep tend to get in trouble and easily fall prey to wolves and other predators. Sheep need a shepherd to protect them and the good news is that Jesus is there to protect you.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells this wonderful truth:
11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. (John 10:11-15)
There are so many benefits that come your way by being one of Jesus’ sheep. He loves you so much that He was willing to die for you.
You may be aware of the John 3:16 which tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. But have you thought how much Jesus loved you?
The number one benefit of knowing you are a sheep is that you have a shepherd who loves you and was willing to die for you. That should bring great comfort to your soul. Jesus’ love for you as His sheep is unquestionable. He proved it through the cross.
Psalm 23 is the classic song about God being a shepherd. In it David describes how God is his shepherd and all the benefits that come from being under His care. Since Jesus and the Father are one and Jesus does nothing unless He sees the Father doing it, I am going to read each line in the psalm and then briefly speak of each benefit you have as a sheep under Jesus’ care.
“The Lord is my shepherd”
Jesus Christ Himself is your shepherd. You are His sheep. No one can snatch you from His hand.
“I shall not want”
Jesus will meet your every need.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures”
He will go before you and find pastures of grass from which you may eat and find your rest. Philip Keller in A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 tells us that sheep will not lay down unless four requirements are met. They must have an absence of:
“He leads me beside quiet waters.”
Sheep are fearful and will not drink from fast moving water. So Jesus will be our guide and lead us to a place where we can peacefully drink from quiet waters.
“He restores my soul”
Jesus is our healer. He comes to you in your deep need and restores the broken areas of your soul. He makes you new inside.
“He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake”
Jesus is your guide and shows you the way in which you should walk. He does this for His own sake so that He might be glorified through your actions.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil for You are with me”
He is alive forevermore and will never leave or forsake you. You can count on His presence in even in the darkest moments of your life. There is no enemy that can take you out of His hand.
“You rod and staff they comfort me.
The rod was a weapon used to beat off attacks of wild animals. The staff a tool for the shepherd to reach out and touch the sheep. Jesus brings us comfort for He has all power against the enemy and He is always present to touch us with His love.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
There may be enemies all around, but the presence of the shepherd protects against their every effort.
“You have anointed my head with oil”
This speaks of the oil that the shepherd placed on the sheep to chase away the flies that almost always drive sheep crazy. Jesus want to bring peace to your soul.
”My cup overflows”
This speaks of the abundance that Jesus provides in your life. You cup is not full, it is overflowing.
“Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life.”
The word follow has the idea of pursuing. Jesus’ goodness and lovingkindness will pursue you all the days of your life. There is never a time where you have to doubt the love and care of your shepherd.
“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”
Jesus is your guarantee of eternal life. If you trust in Him for salvation, you will dwell with Him forever.
After all of that, aren’t you glad your His sheep? I know that I am.
As we end our time together today let’s say Psalm 23 together:
1 The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
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