Christ, The Shepherd

by G. Jarvie, Glasgow | Category: General | Aug 1976

"Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep with the blood of the eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus, make your perfect in every good thing to do His will" (Heb. 13:20,21).

Christ is Creator; Redeemer; Shepherd! The Lamb upon the Throne is crowned with many crowns. As the Good Shepherd He laid down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). As the Great Shepherd He lives for them to care for them. As the Chief Shepherd He is coming again for them to take them to be with Himself (1 Pet. 5:4).

That Jesus Christ lived on earth is universally accepted. His birth is celebrated at Christmas, although many think little about Christ in their celebration. Many in the world know about the death of Christ, though they may not know why He died. But some know that He died for them as the Good Shepherd. We are thankful for all who know Him in this way. They are His sheep for whom He died. The Father has given them to Him, and none of them will perish. Their eternal life does not depend on their hold of Him, but on His hold of them. And no one can snatch them out of His Father's hand.

The Great Shepherd makes His sheep to rest in the green pastures of His Word, while they meditate in it. He refreshes them, as by still waters, if they wait for Him in quietness and confidence. He restores them in soul, while they continue in earnest prayer. In righteousness He guides them, when they walk humbly with Him. Even in the valley of the shadow of death they do not fear, while they trust in Him. He spreads a table before them, and even their enemies can see it, while His sheep abound in thanksgiving. Goodness and mercy follow them all their days, as they earnestly look for His coming. Indeed, they dwell in the house of the Lord for length of days, while they abide in His love, in obedience to Him (Psa. 23).

As the Chief Shepherd He is coming again. In, His care for His flock He has appointed under-shepherds, until He comes again. The work of the under-shepherds is to feed and tend the lambs and the sheep (John 21). When He comes again, the under-shepherds will need to give account to the Chief Shepherd of how they have cared for His flock. If any sheep strayed who might have been kept that will be a great loss to the under-shepherds. As the Lord went before His disciples, giving them an example, so must the under-shepherds be an example to the flock. As He prayed for His disciples (John 17), so must the under-shepherds pray for the sheep.

So important is the work of the under-shepherds in their allotted portions (1 Pet 5:3), that those who have served well, and have fed the lambs and the sheep so that they have not strayed, will receive from the Chief Shepherd the crown of glory that fades not away. The Lord's under-shepherds have words especially written for them in 1 Thess. 5:12-22;2Thess.3:6-15; 1 Tim .3:1-13; Titus 1:5-16; and 1 Pet. 5:1-10.

As the Chief Shepherd the Lord is coming again, and all who are His will be gathered home. Even those who have strayed in this life, He will not forget. May we all so walk, and so work, that when He comes we will not be ashamed before Him. This is the chief thing in our lives now.

"How shall I meet those eyes?

Mine on Himself I'll cast,

And own myself the Saviour's prize;

Mercy from first to last".

G. Jarvie, Glasgow | Aug 1976
General