The Good Shepherd
As we approach Advent, a time where Christians around the world celebrate and reflect on the birth of Christ, one of the most striking descriptions of our Lord is that of a shepherd. The very first verse in the twenty-third chapter of the book of Psalm says, “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” The title of the chapter prior to the first verse is “A Psalm of David” and “The Good Shepherd” in the Contemporary English Version. David identifies the Lord in the reality of who He is and who He reveals Himself to be to David, an ever-present help and a supremely reliable guide.
The Advent season is a reflective time for the believer, remembering that the Lord Himself is a God who desires to be close to His children. Though the season is not without grief, for many, the loss of a loved one acutely stings during the holiday season. The constant push back against painful memories can be a fight that’s fought every year during this time. Our initial reaction can be to reach for a remedy that numbs the pain of loss and grief.
I believe it's worth noting that David refers to an attribute of God that describes His proximity to and care for us. The first sentence King David writes is not a sentence in which Jesus is described as a conquering King or a Righteous Judge, but a shepherd. Among the various details we could use to describe a Shepherd, I believe one key descriptor we must not overlook is His closeness.
There have been countless times I’ve been walking with my daughters on any given day, and they draw close to me to be certain I’m there. There have also been moments of fear where they’ve reached out to tightly grab my arm or leg to confirm that I’m not too far away. Yes, I know that’s a simple example; but in grief and anguish, are we really looking for complex? Does complexity comfort?
Do we draw near to worship doctrines or biblical principles? No, we don’t. We draw near to people. People tend to give us a level of comfort that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to attain on our own. It’s good for us to have people. People who can support and encourage us in life are an absolute necessity. But Jesus isn’t another good person; He's a good shepherd. He comforts while simultaneously guiding me on a journey with Him. He cares and relates to my pain in a way no one else could.
The next portion of that sentence gives us yet another reason why Jesus isn’t just another good person. It says, “I have all that I need.” King David tells us we’ve reached sufficiency when we have Jesus as our Good Shepherd, not because I have every material thing I want but simply because Jesus is the only thing that is needed. He’s all that we need in every season and is perfectly understanding. He’s faithful to stay close. He’s faithful to walk with us and not run ahead of us.
A shepherd, though an ancient work in most cultures, is still unveiling new facets of the love our heavenly Father has lavished on us. Let this season be a time we reflect and remember that only the Good Shepherd has a perfect record; and in every kind of test and suffering, He’s always with us.
ACTIVATION: Prepare a place in your home to light a candle for each week of Advent. With each candle, write down how God has journeyed with you through each aspect of Advent.
The Advent season is a reflective time for the believer, remembering that the Lord Himself is a God who desires to be close to His children. Though the season is not without grief, for many, the loss of a loved one acutely stings during the holiday season. The constant push back against painful memories can be a fight that’s fought every year during this time. Our initial reaction can be to reach for a remedy that numbs the pain of loss and grief.
I believe it's worth noting that David refers to an attribute of God that describes His proximity to and care for us. The first sentence King David writes is not a sentence in which Jesus is described as a conquering King or a Righteous Judge, but a shepherd. Among the various details we could use to describe a Shepherd, I believe one key descriptor we must not overlook is His closeness.
There have been countless times I’ve been walking with my daughters on any given day, and they draw close to me to be certain I’m there. There have also been moments of fear where they’ve reached out to tightly grab my arm or leg to confirm that I’m not too far away. Yes, I know that’s a simple example; but in grief and anguish, are we really looking for complex? Does complexity comfort?
Do we draw near to worship doctrines or biblical principles? No, we don’t. We draw near to people. People tend to give us a level of comfort that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to attain on our own. It’s good for us to have people. People who can support and encourage us in life are an absolute necessity. But Jesus isn’t another good person; He's a good shepherd. He comforts while simultaneously guiding me on a journey with Him. He cares and relates to my pain in a way no one else could.
The next portion of that sentence gives us yet another reason why Jesus isn’t just another good person. It says, “I have all that I need.” King David tells us we’ve reached sufficiency when we have Jesus as our Good Shepherd, not because I have every material thing I want but simply because Jesus is the only thing that is needed. He’s all that we need in every season and is perfectly understanding. He’s faithful to stay close. He’s faithful to walk with us and not run ahead of us.
A shepherd, though an ancient work in most cultures, is still unveiling new facets of the love our heavenly Father has lavished on us. Let this season be a time we reflect and remember that only the Good Shepherd has a perfect record; and in every kind of test and suffering, He’s always with us.
ACTIVATION: Prepare a place in your home to light a candle for each week of Advent. With each candle, write down how God has journeyed with you through each aspect of Advent.
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