The Good Shepherdਨਮੂਨਾ

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the perfect King. He isn’t a distant figure that only the noblemen can approach - he knows his sheep and his sheep know him. He is with us, protecting us and feeding us.

Jesus is the opposite of the evil kings in Ezekiel 34 who grow fat from feeding on the sheep that they are supposed to protect. Jesus feeds the sheep with his own immortal soul. He is the gateway to good pasture and satisfaction. He doesn’t take our lives but he lays his life down for us. He doesn’t become a beast that feasts on us but he battles the beast that would consume us, crushing its head forever. He doesn’t lay down his life because he is defeated, but he lays down his life because his authority - his Kingly power - extends even to life and death.

He dies in our place, but in dying he conquers and frees us from sin and death.

In Ezekiel 34 we saw the theme of unity - One King for all of Israel. Here Jesus expands on that theme. He is the true King of Israel, who will reign forever and bring reconciliation and peace to his people. But he has other sheep - the nations - who he will bring in. The conflict between the nations will end because we will have one King who rules over us and brings perfect peace.

Are you finding satisfaction in the pasture Jesus offers you? Is he your heart’s delight or are you looking elsewhere for satisfaction? How does that impact the relationships around you? Does it bring discord, or harmony?

Lord Jesus, teach our hearts to delight in you and to feast on your goodness. Thank you for dying on our behalf and sharing your life with us. May your life reshape us so that we become people of peace, pursuing unity with the One King and his flock.