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The Agora
Pictures Of Redemption
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The Good Shepherd: Part 3

The life of David -- shepherd, psalmist, general, and king of Israel -- is all by itself an extended parable or picture of the Lord Jesus Christ.

David
 Jesus Christ
David was a shepherd
 Jesus was the "Good Shepherd" (John 10:14)
David was persecuted by the leaders and people of the nation he helped
 This was also true of Jesus, whom they finally crucified (John 5:16)
David left Israel to go into a "far country" where Saul could no longer hunt him, and where he could wait for the time when he would be called to the kingdom (1Sa 27:4)
 Jesus has gone into a "far country", and is waiting for the time to return and finish his work (Luk 19:12)
During his absence David gathered followers who left all to serve him, and who later helped him rule the kingdom (1Ch 12:1)
 Jesus is doing likewise today, calling out a people for God's name (Acts 15:4; Rev 5:9,10)
David united all Israel under one head (2Sa 5:1)
 Jesus will unite Israel (Eze 37:21,22)
David freed Jerusalem from the enemy (2Sa 5:6,7)
 Jesus will do likewise (Joel 3:16; Zec 14)
David extended his kingdom into an empire by bringing the surrounding nations into subjection to his rule (2Sa 8; 10)
 Jesus will bring all nations under his subjection too (Isa 60:12)
David restored the true worship in Jerusalem (2Sa 6)
 Jesus will also restore true worship in Jerusalem (Isa 2:2-4)
David's victories paved the way for the peaceful reign of Solomon and the temple that was built
 Jesus will reign in peace after putting all powers under his authority (Hag 2:6-9; Mic 3)
David was called a "man after God's own heart"
 Jesus was called "my beloved son... in whom I am well-pleased" (Mat 3:17)


As was seen in an earlier article in this series, the skills, the character, the faith, and the courage exhibited by the young shepherd David were used by God in a higher purpose: the defeat of the great enemy of Israel, Goliath -- an event which plainly typified the defeat of the greater giant of Sin by the greater Son of David.

This victory over the giant set David on a course which brought him, after some twists and turns, to the throne of Israel -- even as God directed him. "First a shepherd, then a king" becomes the watchword of Scripture -- as it was true of David, so it was of Christ, and so it will be of those who are "in Christ".

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

There is scarcely any picture to be found in the pages of Scripture, that so beautifully and completely conveys the essence of the Redeemer as does the picture of the Shepherd. The men (and women) who lived in tents, and moved from place to place, seeking green pastures for their flocks, speak to our hearts... of the pilgrim life, of the realization, in real faith, that "our kingdom is not of this world". The men (and women) who put their charges first, and sought their welfare, remind us in graphic terms of love and devotion and service. And those who took up staffs or smooth stones and ventured forth to face lions or bears, because they threatened the helpless sheep, tell us -- more than might thousands of words -- about self-sacrifice.

To say that Jesus was a shepherd is to say all this and more.

Also, to say that Jesus was (and is!) a shepherd is to say that we, who profess to follow him, are... his sheep!
"The sheep listen to his voice" (John 10:3).

This is the mark of identification for the true sheep. So many claim to be his sheep who refuse or neglect to listen to his voice, or -- hearing it -- straightway forget what they have been told, or -- yet again -- allow the gentle but stern voice of the Shepherd to be drowned out and finally lost in the clamor of competing "voices" from the world around them.

But the true sheep are eager and anxious to learn and to conform to the holy spirit of his teachings. They freely recognize their helpless inability to direct their own steps unaided. Though the path along which he leads them is narrow and hard, and many stray from it and wander away to the pleasant and seductive paths of the world, the true sheep say with Peter, "Lord, where shall we go? YOU only have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68).
There are many, many voices calling to the sheep -- desirable, appealing voices. But there remains the one voice of the true Shepherd of Life, one gentle voice which says, 'Regardless of all your natural, animal feelings, THIS is the best, and highest, and most joyful way. Walk in it, and don't turn aside!'

"He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out" (v 3).

He is calling US by name. It is not a formal, standard, impersonal invitation, but a warm, loving, personal, intimate approach.

He knows and addresses each one separately and affectionately, as a close and beloved friend. He knows each one of us if we are his. He knows all our problems and hopes, our sorrows and our joys, as no human being of our acquaintance, however intimate, can possibly know them.

The personal relationship between the Shepherd and each sheep is the key to all the living power of the gospel of salvation. Salvation is a matter of personal communion and unity with Christ. We MUST establish that personal unity: everything depends upon it.

Christ must be real and close to us -- more real and more close and more intimate than any human relationship.

We must live constantly in the atmosphere of this close companionship -- always pausing to renew it as we awake each morning; always closing the day with thankful remembrance of its consolations.

For... we are like sheep, and we need a "shepherd". Left to ourselves, we are helpless, defenseless, passive, dangerously curious, and often silly -- in need of wise leadership and firm guidance. These sheep-like qualities are not ones of which the world is proud, but it is wise for us to understand what we are made of, and to act accordingly. It is only those who truly know their own "weaknesses" who may become truly "strong", in the only "strength" that is meaningful spiritually -- the strength of the LORD (2Co 12:9)!

Psalm 23

And so, for believers, Psalm 23 will always be the simplest and truest "statement of faith", for the LORD (and His Son) will, and must be, now and forever, our Shepherds.

In the psalm are outlined and highlighted such wonderful traits, and qualities, and blessings. There, we see:

The story is told of a Mutual Improvement Class where a night was given over to reading practice, and the reading was Psalm 23. Two members of the class were called upon to read the psalm. Each read it faultlessly, but there was a subtle yet significant difference. Why the difference? An astute observer stated privately: "It was plain that they both know the psalm, but the older brother has spent a lifetime getting to know the Shepherd!"

Knowing words, even understanding the ideas on an intellectual level, can be only the first steps along the road to TRULY understanding -- on an emotional, spiritual, deep-seated level -- the One who inspired the words, or the One who lived them out.

May we, the sheep of His pasture, truly and perfectly know our Shepherd, and abide in His flock forever.

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