More on that Relationship...

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."

John 10:11

"Christianity is not a religion, it's a relationship." This week we look at a different description of the relationship that we have with Christ, by His grace. This is truly one of the most comforting descriptions for me, Christ calls Himself "the good shepherd." This makes us His sheep. He alluded to gentile believers in John 10:16 Jesus tells the Jews that He had sheep that are not of the fold of Israel. Did you hear His voice? Did you put your faith in the gospel? Then you are one of His sheep. This is a fantastic realization! David wrote Psalm 23 as a marvelous hymn of praise to what it is to be in the care of this Good Shepherd. While many observations could be made about this wonderful relationship we can only mention a few here:

Firstly, a shepherd is in a position of responsibility for the sheep. We can look back to Jacob as he tended Laban's flocks. Whenever Jacob lost one of Laban's sheep he was expected to pay for it. It is the shepherd's responsibility to protect the sheep from disease, famine, predators, and tension within the flock. If a sheep is lost it is by the failure of the shepherd. Fortunately we can say with all confidence, "the Lord is my shepherd!" And we need never even fear the possibility of His failing, because He cannot fail!

As sheep we will live the most healthy, productive possible by trusting in, and remaining near our Shepherd. We never need to worry, concern ourselves, or fear; we need only to fix our eyes on the Shepherd trusting Him for care, protection and provision. I believe it was this relationship that Peter was considering when he penned the words, "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." The idea is that the Lord has taken responsibility for us, we need only to look to Him. If you ever catch yourself wondering how much this Shepherd cares for you as His sheep remember that He would leave the 99 to find the lost one (Luke 15:4-6), remember He laid down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). Don't lose sight of the Shepherd.