Jesus My Shepherd
Life brings seasons of triumph and trial, joy and sorrow. Through it all, we need a shepherd—a guide who knows us intimately, provides for our needs, protects us in danger, and never leaves our side. David, the psalmist, captured this truth beautifully when he wrote in Psalm 23:1:
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."
Why should Jesus be our shepherd? The Bible provides us with three compelling reasons.
1. He Made Us
The first reason Jesus should be our shepherd is that He made us. He is our Creator, the one who designed us and knows every detail of our lives. Who could possibly care for us better than the One who formed us?
Psalm 100:3 declares, "Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture."
As our Maker, Jesus has a perfect plan for us, and His guidance leads us in the paths we were designed to walk.
2. He Paid for Us
Although Jesus made us, all of us have strayed from Him. Isaiah 53:6 says, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
Our sin separates us from God, and the penalty for sin is death. Romans 6:23 warns, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Yet, in His love, Jesus willingly paid the price for our sins.
Romans 5:8 reminds us, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."On the cross, Jesus bore the punishment we deserved, and through His resurrection, He conquered death and made eternal life possible for all who believe.
Just as a shepherd purchases his sheep, Jesus redeemed us with His own blood. He paid the ultimate price so that we might be reconciled to Him.
3. He Cares for Us Continually
Life brings dark valleys, joyous highlands, and encounters with enemies. Yet in every season, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is there. Psalm 23:4-5 illustrates this truth:
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over."
In the darkest moments of life, He is our comfort. In times of celebration, He is our joy. Whether life brings storms or sunshine, the Good Shepherd is always near, providing the grace and strength we need.
David experienced this firsthand. In 1 Samuel 30, when his city of Ziklag was destroyed, his family was taken captive, and his men threatened to stone him, David did not give in to despair. Instead, "David encouraged himself in the LORD his God" (1 Samuel 30:6). The Good Shepherd was with David in his darkest hour, just as He will be with us.
Becoming Part of His Flock
Jesus wants to be your shepherd. He calls His sheep, and they follow Him. John 10:27-28 says, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
To follow Jesus as your shepherd, you must first hear His voice. The Bible tells us, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).
The gospel message is clear:
All have sinned. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
Sin has a penalty. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:20).
Jesus paid the penalty. "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Salvation is a gift. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
If you’ve never accepted Jesus as your Savior, let today be the day. Trust Him, and He will welcome you into His flock.
Following the Good Shepherd
Once we belong to Jesus, He calls us to follow Him. We follow by spending time in His Word, attending church, and growing in our relationship with Him. Let us not neglect these opportunities to know Him better.
As David declared with confidence, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1). With Jesus as our shepherd, we can face life’s challenges and blessings with peace, knowing He is always there.
Is the Lord your shepherd today? If not, He invites you to hear His voice, trust Him as your Savior, and follow Him. What a wonderful, loving shepherd we have in Jesus Christ!
