Most people have at least heard of the 23rd Psalm –
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
I love the analogy of the Shepherd and his sheep. Look at the life He gives them. Lush, green pastures. Beautiful, still, glass-like waters. He gives our souls refreshment. Even when we go through our darkest times, He is with us, guiding us. When we wander off the path, He steps in with his rod and staff and rescues and redirects us. A picture of a full and wonderful life, shared with the one who can lead, protect and love us like no other.
Today I was reading in John chapter 10. Again, Jesus is referring to himself as the Good Shepherd. Verse 10 – “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (green pastures, still, deep waters). And he contrasts it to the opposite. The thief. Satan. The one who doesn’t come to offer life, but “comes only to steal and kill and destroy” verse 10. He tries to mess with the sheep, get them to wander away, distract them, entice them. But His goal isn’t to give love and life to the sheep. It is to destroy them. To steal their dreams, their hope, their attention. To kill their joy, their love, their dependence on the Shepherd. To destroy their relationships, their reputations, their futures. His goal is not life, but death.
How awesome is it that Jesus came as our Shepherd, but became one of us, a sheep to become “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29. He came experience what we do as “the sheep” and to show us God’s love as our Shepherd. He came to save us from the Thief. He came to take away the power of the Thief. He came to replace the threat of death with the promise of life.
Whether you are enjoying “green pastures” today or are walking through “the valley”, know that you are loved and led by the Good Shepherd. A very, very Good Shepherd whose goal it is to give you life “to the full”….
