GREAT EXPECTATIONS

 Psalm 23; 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18

Introduction

A shepherd is one who takes care of or tends sheep. Feeds, protect, guide, guard and shelter them. The shepherd will graze the animals, herding them to areas of good forage, and keeping a watchful eye out for poisonous plants. 

By the definitions of who a Shepherd is, we are exposed to the vulnerability of the sheep. The sheep cannot take care of him/herself, the moment they do, they go astray. "We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way..." (Isaiah 53:6 (HCSB)). 

The Good Shepherd

Jesus refers to Himself as the good shepherd when he was addressing the Pharisees who knew the law (Old Testament) so well. This concept is from Ezekiel's prophesy of the shepherd and sheep. The leaders of Israel (Sadducees, Pharisees, Scribes, Kings) at the time were the shepherds at the time and another one to come later. By the reference of the Good Shepherd, Jesus was communicating that He is the Messiah.

Shepherd of Old

Ezekiel's message was not favourable to the old overseer  shepherds 

"The word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy, and say to them: This is what the Lord GOD says to the shepherds: Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who have been feeding themselves! Shouldn’t the shepherds feed their flock? ... “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD. As I live” — the declaration of the Lord GOD — “because My flock has become prey and food for every wild animal since they lack a shepherd, for My shepherds do not search for My flock, and because the shepherds feed themselves rather than My flock, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD! “This is what the Lord GOD says: Look, I am against the shepherds. I will demand My flock from them and prevent them from shepherding the flock. The shepherds will no longer feed themselves, for I will rescue My flock from their mouths so that they will not be food for them. Ezekiel 34:1-2; 7-10 (HCSB)

Jesus said, "All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them... A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy..." John 10:8,10 (HCSB)

The Good Shepherd Restored

God did not just remove the bad shepherds of Israel, He restored the Good Shepherd.

“For this is what the Lord GOD says: See, I Myself will search for My flock and look for them. As a shepherd looks for his sheep on the day he is among his scattered flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places where they have been scattered on a cloudy and dark day. I will bring them out from the peoples, gather them from the countries, and bring them into their own land. I will shepherd them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the land. I will tend them with good pasture, and their grazing place will be on Israel’s lofty mountains. There they will lie down in a good grazing place; they will feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I will tend My flock and let them lie down.” This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.“I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bandage the injured, and strengthen the weak, but I will destroy the fat and the strong. I will shepherd them with justice... I will save My flock, and they will no longer be prey for you. I will judge between one sheep and another. I will appoint over them a single shepherd, My servant David, and he will shepherd them. He will tend them himself and will be their shepherd. I, Yahweh, will be their God, and My servant David will be a prince among them. I, Yahweh, have spoken. Ezekiel 34:11-16; 22-24 (HCSB)

Christ Jesus, the Good Shepherd (Saviour) of Humanity

Jesus Christ is the Messiah of the world. Jesus did not save only Israel, He started with the lost sheep of Israel.

“I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me, 15 as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 But I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. John 10:14-16 (HCSB)

CHRIST, THE GOOD SHEPHERD

The Greek word 'kalos' which is translated as "good" denotes, noble, wholesome, perfect, beautiful, complete. This is the character of God. He alone is Good.

Just then someone came up and asked Him, “Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?” “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” He said to him. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:16-17 (HCSB)

WHAT THE GOOD SHEPHERD DOES

1. He Protects His Flock

Coming under Christ, the Good Shepherd, man, you are covered.

He protects His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them in the fold of His garment. He gently leads those that are nursing. Isaiah 40:11 (HCSB)

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish — ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand. John 10:28 (HCSB)

2. He Guides His Flock

For us not stray, He guides us on the path of righteous living. This glorifies Him so much if we obey.

He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake. Psalms 23:3 (HCSB)

3. He Nurtures His Flock

Christ provides for us exactly and only the things that we need to grow in our faith.

The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. Psalms 23:1-2 (HCSB)

4. He Lays Down His Life for His Flock

The primary purpose of the coming of the Good Shepherd is to lay down His life for humanity - our Salvation. 

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11 (HCSB)

Conclusion

He Demonstrates His Goodness in Us

We show forth the Goodness of our Shepherd in our lives. Love is born by those Christ shepherds.

This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need but closes his eyes to his need — how can God’s love reside in him? Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action. 1 John 3:16-18 (HCSB)