Jesus My Shepherd

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Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Devotions: Ps 119:145-76; 128-30; Jer 25:30-38; Rom 10:14-21; Jn 10:1-18

With all my heart, I cry, Lord, answer me and help me know and keep Your word. I’m up before dawn, praying for comfort and help. In Your steadfast love, help me! In Your justice, preserve me! I am attacked by many enemies, but You are my Mainstay. Deliver me from my affliction, O Lord; I will not forget You or Your law. I rejoice and treasure Your law. Great peace have those who love Your law; I pray for Your salvation. My lips will pour forth Your praise at every opportunity, God. I will sing Your praises and hold fast to Your precepts. You provide fruit through my labor; I will be happy; things will go well for me, and for my wife and children. Let peace rest upon the Israel of YHWH. I have been sorely afflicted, but I will persevere, and I will praise God for the triumph He gives. I cry to You, my God, from the very depths of my being. I wait upon You, and trust in Your steadfast love and redemption.

God directs Jeremiah’s prophecy: ‘YHWH will roar from His holy habitation; He is entering into judgment with all flesh, and the wicked, He will put to death. Evil is rampant among the nations, so those God slays will also cover the face of the earth. Let community leaders lament, for shepherds as well as sheep will be judged and punished. God’s fierce anger against idolatry will pour forth and lay waste those who have failed to obey Him.’

God sends His people out to tell of salvation in Jesus the Messiah; among those who hear, some will believe. How beautiful it is to have God’s message proclaimed! All have the opportunity to believe, but only some avail themselves of this blessed offer. God has continued to hold out His hands to Israel, but they have remained a disobedient and contrary people.

Jesus described Himself as the Good Shepherd, in contrasts with the thieves and robbers who exploited His people. He is also the Door to the sheepfold—the Way through which His people enter, depart, finding shelter and protection as well as food and life. Jesus came to give us abundant life. He chose to lay down His life for us. He gathers His flock from every nation, tribe, tongue and people. And He perfectly fulfills His Father’s commission.