The Gospel of John (5)
Pray Psalm 23.1, 2.
The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
Sing Psalm 23.1, 2.
(Gift of Love: Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire)
Because the LORD my Shepherd is I shall not want, for I am His!
He makes me lie in pastures green, He leads by waters cool, serene.
Read and meditate on John 10.11-16.
Preparation
1. How did Jesus describe Himself?
2. What does He do for us in that role?
Meditation
Consistently throughout the Old Testament, God referred to Himself as the Shepherd of His people. He promised them that He would be a true and faithful Shepherd, and other shepherds would work with Him to care for His people (Jer. 23.3, 4). At that time as well, He promised to send a King to “reign and prosper, [and] execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.” Then His people will be saved and the Lord of righteousness will rule all the earth (Jer. 23.5, 6).
Jesus is that Shepherd King. In John 10 Jesus outlines the work He does as the Good Shepherd to grow and care for His flock. Every shepherd at every level and in every context in a local church should follow the model Jesus shows us in His shepherding work.
As the Good Shepherd, Jesus knows His sheep and they know Him (Jn 10.14). He leads His sheep, just as God the Shepherd in Psalm 23 (Jn. 10.3, 4). Jesus defends His sheep against all trouble—the temptations of the flesh, the lies of the devil, the distortions of truth and beauty which everywhere abound (vv. 12, 13). He lays down His life for His sheep (v. 11) and brings other sheep to join the fold (v. 16). Finally, Jesus the Good Shepherd gives eternal life to His sheep so that they grow in grace and the knowledge of Him (vv. 27, 28; 2 Pet. 3.18).
I wonder: How many pastors, elders, teachers, Bible study leaders, deacons, or other church leaders see themselves as shepherds following the model and example of Jesus? I suspect, not many. Though Jesus shows us what is required for making disciples of His sheep, we prefer to do our own thing, running programs, sponsoring activities, and essentially leaving the sheep mostly to fend for themselves.
No wonder we are so weak and so lacking influence in our culture and society.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“The LORD came down for me against the mighty” (Jdgs. 5.13).
We, of all people, are the most blessed. We always have a Shepherd.
We are always cared for and tended to. By our Good Shepherd.
“And I will give you shepherds according to My heart,
who will feed you with knowledge and understanding” (Jer. 3.15).
What if we don’t have pastors who care for us?
What if we don’t have other sheep to mingle with?
Although having these things would be nice—and are the plan the LORD God has for His Church—
they are not the end all be all of our lives.
We have the Word of God, the Good Shepherd, always available to tend us, teach us, give us knowledge and understanding, wisdom and grace, and the comfort we need to go about the work that He has given us to do. Nothing can keep that from us. Jesus always has our back. Always we have Him in the Scriptures.
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
the statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether” (Ps. 19.7-9).
That very Word will guide us into all truth (Jn. 16.13).
And when we go astray, He is there to bring us back into the fold.
“I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant,
for I do not forget Your commandments” (Ps. 119.176).
And how precious that He has made a way for all to become His sheep. His very Own.
“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold;
them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice;
and there will be one flock and one Shepherd” (Jn. 10.16).
Jesus, the promised Good Shepherd of long ago:
“I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand;
I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,
as a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes…” (Is. 42.6, 7).
Jesus is The Good Shepherd (Jn. 10.11, 14).
The Father knows Him and He knows the Father (Jn. 10.15).
He knows us and laid down His life for us (Jn. 10.14, 15).
Do we hear His voice? And follow Him? (Jn. 21.22)
Do we know and obey Him as we should?
“The Lord knows those who are His…
Let everyone who names the Name of Christ depart from iniquity” (2 Tim. 2.19).
The good sheep snuggle around their Shepherd,
so His rod and staff can reach to comfort, guide, and bless them (Ps. 23.4; Jude 21).
Reflection
1. How do you experience Jesus shepherding you along in your life?
2. What can you learn from Him about being a shepherd with Him?
3. To whom will you extend the shepherding grace and care of Jesus today?
Christ is a unique and true shepherd. But secondarily, he then deigns by his grace to give this name and office to those whom he sends and who enter through the door, that is, those who teach that salvation is found through Christ. Huldrych Zwingli (1484-1531), Commentary on John 10:11.28
Pray Psalm 23.3-6.
Thank the Lord Jesus for His shepherding care. Meditate on how many ways He shepherds you each day. Thank and praise Him for each. Call on Him to guide and strengthen you for the day ahead.
Sing Psalm 23.3-6.
(Gift of Love: Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire)
My soul He quickens and will bless; He leads in paths of righteousness.
Though I may walk in death’s dark vale, I shall not fear – He will not fail!
The LORD is ever by my side; His rod and staff with me abide.
A table rich for me He spreads; with oil my LORD anoints my head.
Goodness and mercy, full and free, shall ever after follow me,
and in the house of God, my LORD, shall I abide forevermore!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: Our Read Moore podcast takes up the book Understanding the Times to help us in knowing how to live and proclaim the Kingdom. Our twice weekly column, Crosfigell, is well into a series on the life of Brendan the Navigator, one of the great saints of the 6th century. Our ReVision series, “The Kingdom Economy”, continues to unpack the secrets of the Kingdom. And new in our bookstore, our book, The Ongoing Work of Christ shows us how the book of Acts provides a template and footprint for all who take up the work of building Jesus’ Church.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
