The Shepherd

Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Jesus is our Shepherd. A shepherd knows his sheep. He watches over them. He walks beside them. He provides all they need. “Luke 14:4-7, “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me for I have found my sheep which was lost.” I tell you that in the same way, there will more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over the ninety-nine righteous person who need no repentance.” To think that God’s love is so great that He cares for the one sheep missing from His flock. This love causes Him to leave the ninety-nine to find the one that is lost. Sheep depend on the shepherd. They know the shepherd’s voice. They trust that this voice will care for their every need. Can you visualize the sheep that went astray? Wandering around not knowing how to get back to the security of the flock and the comfort of the shepherd’s voice. Frightened, wondering if the shepherd even knows they are missing. Thinking maybe they should have stayed with the others. Now they don’t know how to get home. This parable tells us how one who has gone astray, the shepherd goes and searches for him. I am so comforted to read, “when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.” It doesn’t say he scolds it or beats it, but laid it on his shoulders, rejoicing that it was found. The love God has for us that He rejoices when someone is found and repents. Think of the relief the lost sheep must have had hearing the shepherds voice, knowing that finally they are safe again. The sheep can finally rest. Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me all who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble and you shall find rest in your souls. For My yoke is easy and My load is light.” “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”