Jesus is the Owner's Manual for Life - Part 655

In today's world, the often quoted "The Lord is my Shepherd" is offered as words of hope to those in need of comfort.  Indeed, it is in this context that these scriptures are regularly read at funerals and memorial services. However, our familiarity with the beloved scripture Psalm 23 should not simply be known from this limited human perspective. Why?  Because there is so much more in the passage that it is worth re-reading and understanding. It is in this "study to show thyself approved" that we are able to grow our personal relationship with our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ.

For example, when David wrote that the Lord is his Shepherd, he was telling the world -- both then and now -- that he knew in whom he believed. That is, our Lord God and Creator -- the Good Shepherd who would eventually lay down His life for His sheep. We see this analogy again in the New Testament -- in John chapter ten. Here, Jesus is speaking of things to come -- the unfolding salvation message -- that would eventually deliver His people from their sins. The sheep in Jesus' teaching were you and I. And the Shepherd -- Jesus.

It was for us then that Jesus proclaimed, "I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd that gives His life for the sheep." Herein, Jesus went on to compare the virtues of a good shepherd to one that is not so that we would recognize the difference. Jesus said "he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees -- and the wolf catches them and scatters the sheep. The hireling flees because he is an hireling and cares not for the sheep." 

But conversely, Jesus, referring to His own ultimate mercy and grace -- His own willingness to lay down His life for us -- as the good Shepherd -- knows His sheep and likewise, as a result of our faith in Jesus, am known as His own. 

David knew that a personal relationship with the Lord was much more than simply a humanist analogy of a shepherd and sheep. David attested to the extent of our Shepherd's love. David wrote,  "I shall not want." (Psalm 23) The purpose here is to show that our Good Shepherd is not only watching us from afar but He also knows our innermost desires. Our personal situations. As David points out, the Lord makes him to lie down in green pastures. And He leads David beside the still waters. He restores his soul. David knew that his Lord God and Saviour was so good that He would lead him in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. There was never any doubt. David was always confident that whatever struggles came before him, the Lord had already made a way.

This level of trust is made even more apparent when David writes - "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thy rod and Thy staff -- they comfort me. Moreover, Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anoints my head with oil. And yes, my cup runneth over. Surely, Your goodness and mercy Lord shall follow me all the days of my life. Yes Lord, I will dwell in your house -- the house of my Lord forever. (Psalm 23)

You see, when we set the Lord before us --- as David the psalmist did --- we are assured that He is at our right hand. So much so that even in our weakest moments -- when we all like sheep have gone astray, each of us turning and going our own way -- our Lord and Saviour is there with us encouraging us so that we shall not -- under any circumstances -- be moved from the breadth and depth of our beloved Saviour's love. (Psalms 16:8)  

Peter in the New Testament similarly knew the value of seeking first the kingdom of God and all His righteousness when he quoted the psalmist David later in Acts. Peter said in reference to Jesus, "For David speaks concerning Him -- I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for He is on my right hand, that I shall not be moved." (Acts 2:25)

What a blessing! Both David from the old covenant and Peter under the new covenant had experienced the goodness and mercy of our Lord God and Shepherd. As a consequence, both knew that man does not live by bread alone, but rather by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. (Deuteronomy 8:3) Jesus reiterated this point in Matthew 4:4. In the midst of temptation Jesus stated, "It is written -- man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."

Moreover, through His willing sacrifice the Lord made salvation possible for each and every one of us -- who come to Jesus in faith. (John 3:16) Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life." In proclaiming salvation -- in shedding His precious blood on a cross that He created -- He knew that only He alone -- God Almighty -- could be the good Shepherd. Our Lord God who would later become our Saviour. Jesus laying down His life for His sheep -- you and I. (John 10:15-18)

This is why reading the Word -- the scriptures which focus on the ultimate love story -- Jesus -- nourishes our soul. Just as the manna rained from heaven during Moses' time, we need to be nourished through His Word every day. And who is the Word? John identifies the Word as our Lord God and Saviour --- Jesus the Christ. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God .. and this [same] Word became flesh. (John 1:1-18)  Similarly, in I John 5:7, John writes: "For there are three that bear record in heaven -- the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost -- and these three are one." 

Like sheep, we are in need of the good Shepherd to lead us through each day. Trust Jesus. Read His Word today. Study the scriptures to show thyself approved. Why? Because there is no other owner's manual that can make us to lie down in green pastures and restore our souls. (John 10:3-5, 16, 27) Jesus is the Alpha and Omega. Stand in the offering plate.