In our text, Matthew writes of Jesus as a ruler who
will shepherd God's people. This is taken from a prophecy in Micah 5:2-4. The
New Testament will then go on to describe Jesus as a shepherd in several ways.
1. HE is the Good Shepherd - John 10:11. Good here is
not about doing the right thing but rather about doing the gracious and kind
thing. He laid down HIS life for us - talk about caring!!
2. HE is the Chief Shepherd - 1 Peter 5:4. Here Jesus
is the model shepherd who all other spiritual shepherds are to emulate. We are
to exhibit Christ to those we are responsible for in our churches, homes,
workplaces, etc. We are to provide them with loving direction and concern, not
abuse or neglect.
3. HE is the Great Shepherd - Hebrews 13:20. We debate
who is the greatest president, ballplayer or artist but there is no debate
about the greatest caregiver ever...the shepherd, Jesus Christ! Also, Matthew
notes that Jesus is a ruler who shepherds. In other words, this is a King who
really cares for those HE rules.
4. HE is the One Shepherd - John 10:16. While the
sheep (followers) of Jesus may have different denominational preferences and
theological leanings we ALL have the same shepherd=our Lord Jesus Christ.
Finally, it is interesting that the birth of Jesus was
first announced to...shepherds! See you
Sunday.
1. Finish the verse "The Lord is my shepherd, I
___ __ ___." Psalm 23:1
2. Some of God's greatest leaders were shepherds. Name
two - Exodus 3:1: 1Samuel 16:11-13.
3. Note the biblical description of God's people. Psalm
77:20; Luke 12:32; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2,3.
4. Ezekiel 34 is a fascinating chapter about spiritual
shepherding.
A. Describe bad shepherding. - v.8
B. Who is a good shepherd? - v.23
C. How does our God describe HIMSELF? - v.31
5. Note the personal relationship between our
Shepherd, Jesus, and ourselves, HIS sheep. John 10:27,28
* For more on the Lord as our Shepherd read "A
Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23" by Phillip Keller.
