It’s the most beloved and oft-quoted psalm of the Bible. Attend a funeral and there’s a good chance that you’ll hear Psalm 23 somberly read. I guess it’s supposed to assure the loved ones that the deceased is in a good place. I’ve never quite understood why the psalm is associated with funerals, for to me, it’s not a psalm to commemorate the dead but one to bring hope and comfort to the living who know God.
The first two words alone represent sovereign, holy authority that is above every name that can be named…THE LORD. “I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God.” (Isaiah 45:5)
In the Gospel of John, Chapter 1, Verse 1, Jesus is proclaimed God, one with the Father. He has been crowned King of King and Lord of Lords because He was willing to humble Himself, take on human form, and offer Himself as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of man. As a gift to the Son, for His willingness to take on such a horrendous, yet loving task, the Father has given Him a great inheritance…a people, metaphorically called sheep.
It’s an appropriate metaphor because sheep are really needy. They need to be carefully watched over, protected and cared for. They are very susceptible to disease and parasites. They are edgy, easily scared and agitated, helpless, defenseless, prone to wander, rebellious, selfish, stubborn and stupid. For these reasons, having a good shepherd to lead and care for them is critical. Jesus is that shepherd.
“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) “I know My own and My own know Me.” (John 10:14)
So, who are the sheep? Certainly not every single person of this world. The sheep are those people that hear the voice of Jesus, the Shepherd, and follow Him. The sheep are few and the goats are many. Matthew 7:13-14 illustrates this truth in a unique way. “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
There are several distinct character traits of THE good shepherd: 1) He leads his people in paths of righteousness. 2) He knows each by name. 3) He laid down His life for each one. 4) He loses not one. 5) He searches for, finds, and brings back to the flock those of His that have wandered off. 6) He cares for their every need. 7) He loves the people of His flock with a personal, intimate, unique love.
I’ve known a few bad shepherds in my years as a Christian. They did not exhibit great care for the people. Some discernable traits: 1) False teaching. 2) More interested in growing personal fame than growing their flock in truth and love for the Lord. 3) Spent much time away from the flock, “ministering” to others, than to their own. 4) Showed favoritism toward some over others. 5) Created strife and division among the people…and today, there are many so called shepherds profiting greatly from their flock. All sad, and not at all a representation of the Good Shepherd.
In closing, Jesus says: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” (John 10:27-28) …all praise and thanks be to God through our Lord, Jesus Christ.
