The Shepherd and His Sheep: At Peace in a War Zone

Psalm 23; John 10
(MP3) 
The relationship between the Shepherd and the sheep, described in the passages, are examples about intimacy with God. That intimacy protects us and empowers us in a context of spiritual warfare.
 
The Sheep's View in Psalm 23

• David understands the responsibilities of the shepherd and a king toward his people, but also that he and his people need a spiritual shepherd.
• He knows that only the Lord can provide spiritual security and wellbeing that comes from the presence of the Lord (vv. 3-4).
• The presence of the Lord assures David that he will lack nothing in this life and eternity (v. 6).

 
The Shepherd's View in John 10:1-18

• Jesus is the good shepherd of Psalm 23 (vv. 11, 14).
• The shepherd and the sheep know each other (vv. 3-4, 14). It is not just caring, but intimacy in the relationship between them.
• Jesus has come that the sheep "may have life and have it abundantly" (v. 10).
• The sheep have enemies: thieves, robbers, wolves (vv. 1, 8, 10, 12).
• Jesus has the willingness and the authority from his Father to lay down his life for the sheep and to take up his life again (vv. 11, 15, 18).

 
The War Zone in Ephesians 6:10-20

• Christians are sheep in a war zone, fighting against the schemes of the devil, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (vv. 11-12).
• We are safe in the Lord, whose presence provides all that we need to stand firm in this war zone to which he has called us.
• We are called to take up (not look for) the full armor of God (vv. 14-17).
• In the war zone, the sheep bleat: (v. 18-20)
  • Pray at all times in the Spirit;
  • Keep alert with all perseverance;
  • Pray for the needs of the body;
  • Proclaim the gospel boldly.

 
Summary:

• Christ is our all-sufficient and loving Shepherd.
• He calls us by name and we know his voice.
• He is present with us in every battle.
• So let's bleat… in prayer and proclaiming the Gospel, until the Shepherd calls us to our eternal home.

 
 
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