September 27, 2020 -- John 10:11 -- Shepherded by Jesus!

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:11 English Standard Version

The imagery of shepherd is rich in the Old Testament. Jesus’ audience would have recognized immediately many of the implications of this reference. We probably catch the obvious and familiar reference to Psalm 23—”The LORD is my Shepherd.” But perhaps we are unfamiliar with Ezekiel 34. This is another critical reference to help us understand what Jesus is saying.

At the start of Ezekiel 34 the LORD speaks against His people’s leaders. They were supposed to care for the people, the sheep. Instead they took advantage of them. Let them wander. These false shepherds slaughtered the sheep and ruled them harshly. Then there is the glorious promise that the LORD God Himself would Shepherd His sheep—He will seek them out, rescue them from the places they have been scattered, feed them, bind up their wounds and strengthen the weak.

When Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd, He was drawing on this powerful promise of God and declaring it has been fulfilled. Jesus is the Good Shepherd—Who exposed false shepherds, Who rescues His sheep, Who strengthened the weak, binds up the wounded. The miracles of feeding the crowds takes on new relevance and significance when we understand these highlight the fact that Jesus is the Good Shepherd Who feeds His sheep. What a glorious truth this is. What a huge contrast to how the world sees Jesus. He is not a sissy. He is not a weakling helplessly crucified at the hands of cruel leaders. He is the Mighty Shepherd who like historical shepherds on hillsides fought bears and lions and as God’s Shepherd rescues sheep from political villains and tyranny leading them in triumphant victory through the valley of the shadow of death to the presence of our Father in heaven.

Blessed Sunday to you. Find a Bible-believing church and attend it. Be fed by Him Who is the Shepherd of your soul. Or find a livestream service of a Bible-believing church and delight in the truth of Jesus Christ as our Good Shepherd.

Mount Zion ARP Church, Moncton has a livestream service on Facebook. Pastor John Shearouse is our guest preacher today. 10AM Atlantic time, 9 AM EDT and 6 PM (5 PM EDT).

LORD God, we bless You as the God Who made and keeps all His promises. We thank You for Jesus, our Good Shepherd. We thank You for the Shepherd of our souls Who is able to rescue us from the mire of our sins and bring us from the four corners of the earth to Your glorious presence. Spirit of God, direct us in worship this day so that our minds are fed, our hearts strengthened and our faith emboldened for holy service. Amen.