When most people hear Psalm 23, their minds immediately run to its wonderful blessings: Lush green pastures. Still waters. The valley of the shadow of death. An overflowing cup of blessing. Shamed enemies. Goodness and mercy (running after us). The Father's house.
Every one of those promises is precious. They have comforted God's people for more than three thousand years.
But there is something even more glorious than the blessings themselves.
There is the (Good) Shepherd.
David's primary focus in Psalm 23 was never the green pastures or the still waters. His greatest delight was not ultimately the banquet table or even heaven itself. His true delight was the Shepherd.
Remove the Shepherd, and there is no peace. No protection. No provision. No pardon. No Paradise.
Before we can truly appreciate the blessings of Psalm 23, we must first know the Shepherd of Psalm 23. That is exactly where Jesus takes us in John 10.
An Unexpected Question
One of my favorite moments during VBS came from an inquisitive nine-year-old. After thinking about the message of Psalm 23, I was asked, "If God the Father is the Good Shepherd...does that make Jesus the sheepdog?"The question made everyone smile. Children have a wonderful way of asking questions adults would never think to ask. Yet behind that innocent question lies a profound theological truth.
When Jesus declared, "I am the good shepherd!" Jesus was not merely comparing Himself to a shepherd. He was identifying Himself with the covenant God of Israel. I am the Great I Am that is who I am.
Throughout the Old Testament, Yahweh repeatedly identifies Himself as the Shepherd of His people (Psalm 23; Isaiah 40; Ezekiel 34).
Now Jesus steps onto the scene and boldly announces, "I am the Good Shepherd."
This was no ordinary metaphor. It was a declaration of His deity.
Jesus is the Divine Shepherd par excellence. As such:
1. The Good Shepherd Knows His Sheep Personally
One of the most comforting truths in John 10 is that Jesus knows His sheep.
Not simply in a general sense. But personally.
Jesus says,
"I know My own and My own know Me."
Our Lord knows far more than our names.
He knows our fears. Our burdens. Our temptations. Our weaknesses. Our sorrows. Our joys.
Nothing about His sheep surprises Him.
Perhaps even more amazing, He knows everything about us—and He still loves us.
Human love often fades when our warts and blemishes are seen and felt. Sadly, the love of Christians is often tainted with selfishness. We love others because of what they do for us.
Christ's love never fails. It never wanes.
Jeremiah reminds us that God's steadfast love never ceases.
David didn't merely write,
"The Lord is a shepherd."
He joyfully confessed,
"The Lord is my Shepherd."
That little pronoun makes all the difference.
Christianity is wonderfully personal.
Every believer can say, "He is my Shepherd, and I am one of His sheep."
No sheep is forgotten. No sheep is overlooked.
What tremendous comfort for weary Christians. The Good shepherd watches over me and you!
2. The Good Shepherd Lives and Dies for His Sheep
Jesus next contrasts Himself with a hired hand.
A hired hand works for a paycheck.
When danger comes, he runs. He risks nothing because he does not truly love the sheep.
Not so with Messiah Jesus.
When wolves came, the perfect Shepherd did not flee.
He willingly walked toward Calvary.
Notice how often Jesus says,
"I lay down My life."
His death was not an accident.
It was not the tragic ending of a failed revolution.
It was the eternal plan of God (Acts 2:21-23).
