Shepherd Stories: The King of Shepherds
“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
(Isaiah 9:6-7 [NKJV]).
“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
The leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
The calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
And a little child shall lead them.”
(Isaiah 11:6)
He is our shepherd! He tells us so. Do we believe Him? Do we act like He is our shepherd by doing His will? As a physical shepherd I must lead my sheep, but they must also follow. Do we follow Jesus in all His glory and righteousness or do we straggle behind, doubting, questioning and pondering what if? Jesus bluntly says, “I am the good shepherd, The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11). He fights for his sheep (us) and does not flee; thus, he protects and destroys what would snatch us away from Him. “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” (John 10:14).
The analogy of physical shepherding to Jesus our Shepherd is a perfect match of the physical verses’ spiritual realities of life. What does a shepherd do for his flock?
- He leads them to fresh living water. (Psalms 23:2b; Zech. 14:8; John 7:38: Rev. 22:1,17). His Spirit is poured out on us.
- He provides food. (Psalms 23:2; John 6:35).
- He provides shelters from the storms of life. (Psalms 23:6; 27:4; John 14:2).
- He provides healing and health for those who are in need. (Psalm 23:5; James 5:14; Isa. 61:1).
- He provides knowledge of Himself. (Psalms 23:3; II Tim. 3:16-17; Eph. 3:4,14-20).
- He is a leader. (Psalms 23:2-3; John 10:37; Matt. 4:19).
- He provides safety and protection. (Psalms 23:4; Psalms 24:7-10).
The time is coming when this world will begin to completely self-destruct (Matt. 24:22). Unless our Shepherd returns to save this world there will be no human flesh saved alive. He, our Shepherd will return, and He will fight, as our Shepherd, to save all of mankind. (I Thes.5:1-3; Joel 2:1-3). “Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives…” (Zech. 14:2-4).
The day is coming when our Shepherd returns “And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF HOSTS” (Rev. 19:6). Our KING, our LORD, our SHEPHERD will return and then “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountains, says the LORD”. (Isa. 65:25). There will be peace and the wonderful blessings of the world for all. “He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces;” (Isa. 25:8).
Our King, our LORD, our Shepherd has grown up. Now, He “leads me (us) in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.” (Psalms 23:3).
“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
The leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
The calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
And a little child shall lead them.”
(Isaiah 11:6).
Lead Jesus, Lead!
Mike Wallace
