I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Living Life in its Fullness by Relating with the Lord who is the Good Shepherd

TRUTH AND PURPOSE

Messiah Jesus came to fulfill prophecy and bear revelation of God’s covenant truths. He fulfilled scripture, revealing its greater purposes and providing more accurate understanding.

While the disciples were celebrating this very feast, 50 days after His resurrection on the day of the feast of First-Fruits, the Holy Spirit was poured out amongst them. It became known as Pentecost. Whereas this feast had been celebrated by remembering the giving of the Law to Moses, now it would truly represent the fullness of God’s covenant—His incredible love and amazing grace expressed through His Word and Spirit.

RELEVANCE

In was on this day that Peter stood up remembering the prophecy of Joel, "I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh…" (Joel 2:28)

It was also about 550-600 years after the prophet, Ezekiel, spoke of the condition of His people and of His future solution… 

The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost…So they were scattered because there was no shepherd…  (Ezekiel 34:4-6 NKJV)

     He continued…

For thus says the Lord GOD: "Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered…I will feed them in good pasture…I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick… (Ezekiel 34:11-16 NKJV)

In the midst of escalating political tension and corruption that was spurring an impending revolution against dominant Roman powers, the LORD arrived on the scene to make a difference. The religious leaders expected a political type to take his place as the Messiah-King.  The LORD did take His place as the Good Shepherd of God’s flock. He came fulfilling Ezekiel’s prophecy.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep….14 I am the good shepherd; I know my own, and my own know me — 15 just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father — and I lay down my life on behalf of the sheep. 16 Also I have other sheep which are not from this pen; I need to bring them, and they will hear my voice; and there will be one flock, one shepherd. (John 10:11-18 JNT)

The LORD expressed a greater dimension of God's love, revealing it in a whole new way. He came full of compassion. He came “moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”  (Matthew 9:36)
    
Truly, He manifested El Rachum—The God of Compassion (Deuteronomy 4:31) in the fullness of measure.

FOCUS ON VALUES, VISION AND VIRTUES

The Holy Spirit imparts insight that strengthens our vision, bringing what was obscure to clarity, and what seemed so complex to simplicity. In order to do so God brings our values into alignment with His. When our values are congruent with God’s, we see things we never saw before! The Holy Spirit imparts new and greater measures of the virtue of Christ; His love, character and power, producing the fruit of the Spirit. Through grace, God’s works His process of transformation within us.

What new values has God impressed you to embrace this season?

What new vision has God imparted in you to give you greater insights?

What virtues of Christ have you received to walk in the new life in Him?  

REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE

With so many voices fighting for your attention, how do you discern the voice of the Shepherd leading and guiding you daily?

How do you spend time with the Shepherd daily, receiving His insights, counsel and wisdom?

© 2006-10 Arise in Glory Ministries.   All rights reserved worldwide.


Unless otherwise specified, all Scripture references are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scriptures marked JNT taken from the Jewish New Testament. Copyright © 1979 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. Scriptures marked NLT are taken from New Living Translation Holy Bible, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.