Psalm 23:1, 6 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
To have the Lord as your shepherd means that you are one of his sheep. Who are the sheep? What defines them? (John 10:27-28). My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
We learn three things about God’s sheep from this verse.
- The great shepherd knows the sheep,
- they recognize his voice
- and they follow him.
If you are not known by God, if you do not follow at the sound of his voice, you are not one of his sheep. Earlier Jesus said, “I told you and you do not believe… but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.” (John 10:25-26) “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21
If you do not believe in, nor obey Jesus as the great shepherd, do not come to this table. This is food, real spiritual food and nourishment, for the sheep – for believers.
What does the great shepherd do for his sheep? At least, this. From John 10:28 “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
The sheep will be his forever. Permanent guardianship. “Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Goodness and mercy are the two sheepdogs of the great shepherd. God’s goodness and mercy surround the sheep, guides them, and protects the sheep all through this life until we arrive at home.
That is the confidence that the sheep can have, should have. My shepherd knows me, provides for me and protects me. None shall take us out of his hand.
Goodness and mercy led Christ to the Cross, and goodness and mercy led you to this table.
So we come in faith: for assurance, for confidence, for rest in the great shepherd.
Come to the green pastures, rest beside the quiet waters – your great shepherd leads you and cares for you.
Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.”