The Good Shepherd
"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." (Matthew 9:35-36)
When Jesus looked out at the multitude coming to see Him, as the Good Shepherd, He had great compassion on them. For the Bible tells us, this is why God came in the flesh, to gather His lost sheep into the fold.
"Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." (John 10:7-11)
When a person trusts in Jesus for salvation, it marks the beginning of an eternal relationship. God reconciles one to Himself through the Holy Spirit and the Christian is forgiven for all sin. Yet in this restored relationship, a Christian will also face spiritual opposition in the world and a battle wages on between the Spirit and the flesh. Thankfully, the Lord leads and guides through this life and He manifests His power in the life of the believer. His strength is made perfect in weakness. This was experienced by the Apostle Paul as he faced a personal struggle.
"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
By His grace, the Lord helps His people grow and walk as His will is sought out for the life of the Christian. The Holy Spirit leads, strengthens, teaches, bears fruit and makes God's Word come alive. This is why a Christian can be going through a difficult trial, yet have peace and joy. It is a testimony of God's grace and strength during difficult times.
We see this in an unusual encounter between the Apostle Peter and Jesus.
"And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. " (Matthew 14:23-33)
Even in the midst of the blowing winds and crashing waves, Peter was walking on water when his eyes were on Jesus. When he started looking at the crashing waves and boisterous wind, he began to sink and called out to Jesus to save him.
Jesus is the One who can help us forgive. He can cleanse the worst of sinners. He can soften the hardest of hearts. He can calm the stormy seas in this world. He can help carry someone through very difficult times.
He came so that we could be saved, not condemned.
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:17)
Praise God for He is the Good Shepherd.
Credit goes to Biblebelievers.com for the image.
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"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." (Matthew 9:35-36)
When Jesus looked out at the multitude coming to see Him, as the Good Shepherd, He had great compassion on them. For the Bible tells us, this is why God came in the flesh, to gather His lost sheep into the fold.
"Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." (John 10:7-11)
When a person trusts in Jesus for salvation, it marks the beginning of an eternal relationship. God reconciles one to Himself through the Holy Spirit and the Christian is forgiven for all sin. Yet in this restored relationship, a Christian will also face spiritual opposition in the world and a battle wages on between the Spirit and the flesh. Thankfully, the Lord leads and guides through this life and He manifests His power in the life of the believer. His strength is made perfect in weakness. This was experienced by the Apostle Paul as he faced a personal struggle.
"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
By His grace, the Lord helps His people grow and walk as His will is sought out for the life of the Christian. The Holy Spirit leads, strengthens, teaches, bears fruit and makes God's Word come alive. This is why a Christian can be going through a difficult trial, yet have peace and joy. It is a testimony of God's grace and strength during difficult times.
We see this in an unusual encounter between the Apostle Peter and Jesus.
"And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. " (Matthew 14:23-33)
Even in the midst of the blowing winds and crashing waves, Peter was walking on water when his eyes were on Jesus. When he started looking at the crashing waves and boisterous wind, he began to sink and called out to Jesus to save him.
Jesus is the One who can help us forgive. He can cleanse the worst of sinners. He can soften the hardest of hearts. He can calm the stormy seas in this world. He can help carry someone through very difficult times.
He came so that we could be saved, not condemned.
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:17)
Praise God for He is the Good Shepherd.
Credit goes to Biblebelievers.com for the image.
>>BACK TO BIBLE TOPICS
