“For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul.” — 1 Peter 2:25
The Scriptures make many references to Jesus as our Shepherd and that we are His sheep. You may have heard sermons that described the ways we resemble the fleecy creatures. Whether you like being compared to a sheep or not, the truth is we need a shepherd. Like sheep, we tend to wander off, go astray, get in trouble and sometimes we get lost. I know, because I am one of the sheep that has done all those things, and it was Jesus who brought me back into His fold. If you know Him, can’t you say the same? Aren’t you happy that we have a perfect, loving Shepherd?
Don’t you love the thought of having Jesus as your Overseer? An overseer is one who watches over whatever he is put in charge of. If you are a parent, God has assigned you as the overseer of your children. You will do all within your power to see that they are safe, that they are properly taught and have all they need to survive and grow. If you as a human do all that for your children, imagine the power and love of Christ as your overseer. Now think of Him as the overseer of your everlasting soul. How could anyone not want to give there all to Jesus, knowing that He alone can take you to heaven?
Psalm 23:1 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”
A good shepherd sees that his flock has everything it needs. They never lack anything. They may not always have all they want, for their shepherd knows what is best for them. That is the kind of shepherd we want for our loved ones and for ourselves, and that is what we have in Jesus.
“He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.” — Isaiah 40:11
Imagine the Lord and Creator of the universe as He gathers you in His arms and carries you close to His heart. What a beautiful picture of the love Christ has for you and me! Sisters and brothers, we should meditate on this verse often. We should never forget that Jesus loves us that way — as a gentle shepherd who watches over us, leads us, protects us and lovingly caresses us close to His heart. Think about the words, “He gently leads those that have young.” The mother sheep with their young lambs are the most defenseless and most vulnerable. So many times we are extremely vulnerable and defenseless, too, and we can rest assured that the Lord is watching over us and leading us every step of the way.
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as my Father knows me and I know my Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep. Jesus knows you — with all the people in the world — He knows YOU! And He did lay down His life for you. John the Baptist declared, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” — John 1:29
Our Good Shepherd was also the sacrificial Lamb, and through His sacrifice, we are saved, cleansed of our sins and promised eternal life.
Oh what a Savior He is. Oh what a Shepherd. Aren’t you glad to know you are His? Let us tell the lost about our Good Shepherd. He loves them, too, and He longs to bring them into His fold.
“I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them, also. They too will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” — John 10:16
DR. SAM SMITH,
BUTTERFLY
MINISTRY
ssmithkate@aol.com
