{"id":511,"date":"2014-07-08T17:05:00","date_gmt":"2014-07-08T21:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/?p=511"},"modified":"2014-07-08T17:10:17","modified_gmt":"2014-07-08T21:10:17","slug":"jesus-the-good-shepherd-july-6-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/?p=511","title":{"rendered":"Jesus: The Good Shepherd, July 6, 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jesus: The Good Shepherd<\/h1>\n

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Central Though: The LORD Jesus who is the good shepherd guaranteed guidance, provision, protection and prosperity for the believer who is obedient to Him.<\/h3>\n

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Text: John 10; Psalm 23<\/h3>\n

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In a general sense, a shepherd is one who looks after sheep which may or may not belong to him.\u00a0 Such a shepherd is expected to lead, protect and provide for the sheep.\u00a0 The shepherd may put his life on risk for the sheep if need be.<\/p>\n

The Lord Jesus by His unique and voluntary death brought the Jews and the Gentiles into one sheepfold (the Church).\u00a0 In demonstration of His love and mercy, He gave his life for man who had gone astray form God.\u00a0 Anyone who through repentance yields his\/her life to Him becomes His sheep and a member of His sheepfold.\u00a0 His main desire now is to continue to nourish and perfect the sheep for whom He has made so big a sacrifice, John 10:28-29.\u00a0 Thus He is the only Good Shepherd today who cares for, nourishes preserves, protects, leads, guides, guards, and provides for the totality of the sheep.<\/p>\n

Moreover, it is written that \u201cGod anointed Jesus Christ of Nazareth who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil for God was with Him\u201d.\u00a0 There is no evil in Him.\u00a0 In the midst of afflictions, such as sickness, diseases, scarcity of basic essentials of life and family upsets which are all the handiwork of the devil, the Lord Jesus as the Good Shepherd provides for the sheep, John 10:10.\u00a0 He is not a hireling who would flee when storms of life are blowing against the sheep.<\/p>\n

The believer who is obedient to the word of God is the sheep that is planted in the hands of the Shepherd.\u00a0 Consequently, abundant provision, security and divine guidance for such a believer are the primary responsibilities of the Good Shepherd.<\/p>\n

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1. Who is a shepherd?<\/h5>\n

A shepherd is on who takes care of a flock of sheep.\u00a0 He takes keen interest in feeding the sheep, Jeremiah 23:4, and ensuring their safety even at the risk of his life.\u00a0 In a derived sense, a shepherd is also on who cares for a group of persons such as a priest, teacher, pastor.<\/p>\n

Certain qualities are expected of a shepherd.\u00a0 He must have love for the sheep.\u00a0 Without love it will be difficult for the shepherd to risk his life in defense of the sheep.\u00a0 David demonstrated this live for his flock, when a lion came to take one sheep and he put his life in jeopardy to rescue the sheep and he slew the lion, 1 Samuel 17:34-35.\u00a0 A shepherd motivated by love will tenderly care for his sheep.\u00a0 He stays with them no matter the weather.\u00a0 Form the fore-going, it follows that a shepherd must also be fearless and must be ready at all times to defend the sheep.\u00a0 In addition, a shepherd should have the ability to provide food for the sheep.\u00a0 A shepherd goes in search of places where there is abundant supply of food an to which he may lead the sheep to feed.<\/p>\n

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2. What makes Jesus the good shepherd?<\/h5>\n

In John 10:11, the Lord Jesus said, \u201cI am the Good Shepherd, the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep\u201d.\u00a0 The first thing that makes the LORD Jesus the good shepherd is that He gave His life to reconcile mankind to God.\u00a0 While we were yet sinners Christ died for us, Romans 5:8.\u00a0 The sinner deserved death but the LORD Jesus in His infinite love for the sinner volunteered to die in his place.\u00a0 Only the Good Shepherd with agape love could do this.\u00a0 Any individual therefore who accepts His death and sacrifice becomes a child of God and automatically a member of His sheepfold.<\/p>\n

In addition, the LORD Jesus is compassionate and merciful.\u00a0 These attributes also make Him the Good Shepherd.\u00a0 Mercy and compassion flow from His heart towards His sheep.\u00a0 The Scripture is full of instances showing that He will not allow His sheep suffer from physical and spiritual depravity (undernourishment).\u00a0 Matthew 9:36 declares, \u201cBut when He saw the multitude, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd.\u201d<\/p>\n

When He was on earth, He went about all the cities and villages teaching and preaching in their synagogues, healing every sickness and disease.\u00a0 The Good shepherd is the same yesterday, today and forever, Hebrews 13:8.\u00a0 What He did in the past, He is still able to do today and forever.<\/p>\n

The LORD Jesus is Omniscient, Omnipresent and Omnipotent.\u00a0 These attributes also make Him the Good Shepherd.\u00a0 He knows all things and He is all powerful.\u00a0 He is present always with the sheep wherever they may be found.\u00a0 He is therefore able to protect the sheep from every danger.\u00a0 Even while the danger is being proposed or planned by the enemy, the LORD as the Good Shepherd averts the danger.\u00a0 He is able to provide for the sheep all that the sheep requires.<\/p>\n

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3. Who are those that constitute His sheep?<\/h5>\n

Some people believe that all human beings are children of God no matter how they live and no matter what they do. This is biblically incorrect.\u00a0 Truly, all human beings are creatures of God but all human beings are not children of God.\u00a0 To become a child of God, one must be born into the family of God.\u00a0 This only happens when a man receives Christ into his life as his LORD and personal Savior.\u00a0 \u201cAs many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name\u201d, John 1:12.\u00a0 A man must therefore repent of his sins, confess them to Christ, receive Him into his life and become born-again.\u00a0 This is what makes on a child of God.<\/p>\n

Therefore it is emphatically revealed in the scripture that only those who are born again constitute the sheep of the LORD Jesus.\u00a0 These are the ones who hear only His voice and will not follow the voice of strangers, John 10:5.\u00a0 These are the ones who know and follow Him.\u00a0 Their desire is to please the Good Shepherd and no one else.\u00a0 Their ears and feet are trained to hear the voice of the Shepherd and to walk in His footsteps.\u00a0 The sheep is expected to hear and obey the shepherd.\u00a0 The sheep should always bear in mind that, \u201cTo obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken the fat of rams\u201d, 1 Samuel 15:22.<\/p>\n

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\u00a04. What are some of the blessings bestowed upon the sheep by the good shepherd?<\/h5>\n

Many blessings or \u2018benefits\u2019 are promised in the scripture for anyone who makes the Lord Jesus, his or her shepherd.\u00a0 Some of these blessings include:<\/p>\n

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  1. Salvation \u2013 As stated earlier, the LORD Jesus gives power to those who receive Him to become the children of God.\u00a0 Salvation therefore lies only in the Good Shepherd, Acts 4:12.\u00a0 The Bible declares that He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God by Him, Hebrews 7:25.\u00a0 He will lead all those who follow Him into the kingdom of God.<\/li>\n
  2. Abundant life \u2013 In John 10:10, the Good Shepherd stays, \u201cThe thief comes to steal, to kill and to destroy, I have come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly\u201d.\u00a0 The beginning of the abundant life experience in Christ is salvation.\u00a0 In addition to the eternal salvation given to the sheep, the Good Shepherd provides for His sheep in this world all that pertains to life and godliness, 2 Peter 1:3.\u00a0 He leads His sheep to the green pastures and feeds them abundantly.\u00a0 He is able to prepare a table for His sheep even in the presence of their enemies, Psalms 23:5.\u00a0 No good thing will He withhold from His sheep.\u00a0 The Good Shepherd has promised to supply all the needs of His sheep according to His riches in glory, Philippians 4:19.<\/li>\n
  3. Divine Guidance \u2013 The Good Shepherd is Omniscient.\u00a0 All knowledge belongs to Him.\u00a0 He is therefore able to lead (guide) His sheep.\u00a0 He knows the end from the beginning.\u00a0 He knows \u2018before hand\u2019 the outcome of any journey or project embarked upon by the sheep.\u00a0 He is very much aware of the road that apparently seems rosy at the beginning but which may later pose serious danger to the sheep.\u00a0 He has the ability to prevent (avert) such danger and lead the sheep in the paths of righteousness and safety.\u00a0 He is therefore very eager to lead the sheep in the paths that will guarantee success, happiness, joy, peace and everlasting satisfaction.<\/li>\n
  4. Divine Protection \u2013 The Good Shepherd offers divine protection to the sheep.\u00a0 The LORD Jesus laid down Hid life to protect the sheep from satan (the enemy) whose sole aim is to destroy the sheep.\u00a0 Today the Good Shepherd guarantees protection for His sheep form all the forces of evil such as native doctors, witches, wizards, occult powers, etc.\u00a0 There is no limitation as regards the extent to which the Good Shepherd protects His sheep.\u00a0 He is Omnipotent (all powerful) and therefore the protection of the sheep is guaranteed in full.\u00a0 The Bible declares, \u201cNo weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper\u201d, Isaiah 54:17, and that, \u201cthou shalt not be afraid for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.\u00a0 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee, only with thine eyes halt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked\u201d, Psalm 91:5-8.\u00a0 The sheep should not live in fear but must rather maintain an absolute trust in the Good Shepherd.<\/li>\n
  5. Peace \u2013 The Good Shepherd offers peace to all His sheep.\u00a0 In John 14:27, the Good Shepherd declares, \u201cpeace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.\u00a0 Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid\u201d.\u00a0 In all situations of life, we have the peace of the Good Shepherd.<\/li>\n
  6. Victory \u2013 The Good Shepherd promises victory in all life\u2019s situations.\u00a0 The temptations, trials and difficulties of life can only be overcome through the leading of the Good Shepherd.\u00a0 In him and in Him alone, we are more than conquerors in every situation of life, Romans 8:35-37.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    It is necessary to add that these blessings promised the sheep under the shepherding of the Good Shepherd \u2013 the LORD Jesus.\u00a0 The scripture is full of all God\u2019s promises for His sheep.\u00a0 The sheep must bear in mind that these blessings are not dependent on prevailing economic circumstances and that no power or force of the enemy can prevent any of these blessings coming upon the sheep.\u00a0 Every sheep must steady his\/her heart on the Good Shepherd.<\/p>\n

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    5. What are some of the consequences of not heeding the Good Shepherd\u2019s voice?<\/h5>\n

    The refusal of the sheep to heed the voice of the Master results in grave consequences.\u00a0 In the natural, when a sheep does not heed the voice of the shepherd, it strays and exposes itself to danger.\u00a0 This is also true in the spiritual.\u00a0 The Christian as the LORD\u2019s sheep is expected to heed His voice.\u00a0 When the voice of the Good Shepherd is not heeded, the believer strays and exposes himself to danger and attack of the enemy.\u00a0 Such is the case when a Christian lives in sin and practices the works of the flesh, Galatians 5:19-21.\u00a0 At such moments, the sheep strays from the fold and comes under the severe attack of the enemy.\u00a0 The enemy uses such occasions to afflict the believer with sickness, disease, failure, etc.\u00a0 However, it is encouraging to know that even in such situations, the Good Shepherd still goes in search of the straying sheep calling on him to repent and to return to Him.<\/p>\n

    In addition, when a believer does not heed the voice of the Good Shepherd, he or she may not receive the blessings promised by the Good Shepherd.\u00a0 Peace, protection, divine guidance, etc., may elude such a believer.<\/p>\n

    Thus as members of His sheepfold, we are expected to heed His voice always.\u00a0 It is never His expectation that we stray from Him.\u00a0 However, if for any reason we stray, we are expected to return to the Good Shepherd immediately in true, sincere and genuine repentance.\u00a0 He is ever ready to receive us in His fold.<\/p>\n

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    Daily Living Application<\/h3>\n

    The LORD Jesus is the Good Shepherd.\u00a0 He is the only One today who cares for, nourishes, preserves, protects, leads, guides, and provides for the totality of the sheep.\u00a0 He expects His sheep to heed His voice and follow Him.\u00a0 There are numerous blessings He bestows upon the sheep.\u00a0 These blessings can only be appropriated by the obedient sheep.<\/p>\n

    The Good Shepherd says in His word, \u201cI know my sheep\u201d, John 10:27.\u00a0 He knows your strong points as well as your week points.\u00a0 He is aware of the difficulties you are facing at school, work, market, trade\/business, or at home.\u00a0 He as the Good Shepherd has every situation under His control.\u00a0 He knows the need of your spirit, soul and body.\u00a0 He knows how to plead your case at the throne of God.\u00a0 Remember always that having the LORD Jesus as the Good Shepherd implies adequate care for your total man (spirit, soul, and body), and you will never be consumed by the adverse situations of life.<\/p>\n

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    Memory Verse:<\/h3>\n

    Psalm 23:1 \u2013 The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Jesus: The Good Shepherd     Central Though: The LORD Jesus who is the good shepherd guaranteed guidance, provision, protection and prosperity for the believer who is obedient to Him.     Text: John 10; Psalm 23     In a general sense, a shepherd is one who looks after sheep which may or may […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-511","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sundayschool"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/511","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=511"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/511\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":516,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/511\/revisions\/516"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=511"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=511"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}