The Heart of the Shepherd
Week Fifteen
April 6, 2025
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
— John 10:11 (NIV)
Jesus is the perfect picture of grace. He is the model shepherd. And he moves among us as the good shepherd — gracious and caring. Perhaps you’ve had the experience of “sitting” under harsh or disingenuous oversight. I’m sorry if you have. Jesus warned of those who would have no stake or ownership in his flock — those uncommitted to that which pleases him, those unconcerned with his concerns. He warned of “thieves” who would steal by deception, offering alternatives to the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life. Robbers. Perhaps you’ve felt the emptiness of soul that comes from being belittled or taken advantage of. My heart goes out to you if you have.
But you can experience forgiveness and freedom — release from the painful chains of the past. I know I have and I believe, by his healing words, you will.
Jesus, the good shepherd, extends his staff to you into the middle of your mess. He does not abandon, abuse, or berate you because of your circumstance or situation. Like a good shepherd he rescues, he raises, and he embraces. His love is a love that loves to the end. He carries in himself a gentle disposition. He does not throw his arms up in disgust and resignation over your failings. His back is never towards you and his arms never folded. He is ever-pursuing, ever-searching, patiently waiting, and always calling, “Adam, where are you?” How could we ever refuse such a one as this?
Jesus, our model, has laid down his life for us, his sheep. Models model models, and those of us holding any form of position or power, spiritual or not, must model our treatment of others after the shepherd’s treatment of us. Our lives must point those under our care to him, the door, the only way into the sheepfold.
Sheep need protection; they need the shepherd’s rod. And sheep need rescue; they need the shepherd’s staff. My friend, I would like to invite you to receive the comfort, the security, that only Jesus can ultimately give, and to see you, to see us all, own the words spoken by the singing shepherd David thousands of years ago, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” No matter your surroundings, no matter your circumstance, may your heart always find its rest in being pressed near to the Good Shepherd’s heart.
Monday
April 7, 2025
See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,
and he rules with a mighty arm. …
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.
— Isaiah 40:10a, 11 (NIV)
Strong as steel, soft as velvet. Doesn’t that describe the ideal father? Doesn’t that describe our heavenly Father — sovereign Lord and tender Shepherd? God’s arm is both strong to defend and firm in its embrace. Those who oppose him will know the strength of his power against them. But we his flock are raised and embraced by that same arm — pulled near and pressed in close to his heart. He is our kinsman redeemer, protector of our interests, shepherd of our souls. He is a gentle giant who knows how to hold us without crushing us. I’d like to call that gentleness. He deals with us gently.
Have you experienced either side (or both sides) of God as he is described in this scripture? Can you put into words what that felt like?
Why is it important (from our perspective) that God is both gentle and strong? Why is it important that he is also just?
Tuesday
April 8, 2025
He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he is also clothed with weakness.
— Hebrews 5:2 (CSB)
Sheep wander. That’s what they do. We wander too. It’s in our nature. Have you ever gone to the ocean, marked your spot on the beach, and waded into the water to enjoy the buoyancy and rhythm of the sea? If you have, you’ve probably had the experience of looking back towards the shore to see your blanket, chair, and wife moved from where you left them. Well, they didn’t actually move, you drifted. And that’s what we do; we drift. But there is one who has never drifted, one who is an anchor. We don’t exasperate or irritate him with our wanderings and weaknesses, for he knows what it is like to be subject to these. Instead, he comes to help you in your straying and erring. He comes with gentleness.
Gentle. What does this word mean to you? What does it look like for someone to treat you gently?
What word would you give as an antonym to gentle? Are there times that God would treat us in that way?
Wednesday
April 9, 2025
… your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
— Psalm 23:4b (ESV)
As a believer in Jesus, you are counted among those in his flock. His sheep hear his voice and follow him. He raises his rod over you to number you among his own and wields it to keep you safe from your enemies and from yourself. And yet, we still find ourselves in trouble, determined to follow our own way, trapped by snares, jaws, and brambles. Yet our shepherd rescues us, draws us out of danger with his long-reaching staff. Without chiding or belittling, he brings us back to himself. Back to his heart. Back to the comfort of his presence.
What is the difference between discipline and scolding? Is correction more effective before we sin or after we sin?
What do you think the rod and staff in psalm 23 are a metaphor for? How have you found them to bring comfort in your life?
Thursday
April 10, 2025
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
— Psalm 91:3 (ESV)
Sometimes we descend, lighting upon those low places from which we’ve been freed. Gravity is a lifelong force to be reckoned with. So is sin. We swoop, we descend, drawn by earthly enticements, lured by lies, and baited by tailor-made traps. We were created to soar and our Creator knows this. He also knows our frame and takes delight in rescuing us from the deadly pestilence of sin. His blood is the antidote for sin’s poison. He is our strong deliverer.
Have you ever felt trapped by something from which you could not get freed? How did that feel?
Have you known the joy of freedom brought by God’s rescue? How does that feel, and have you thanked him for it?
Friday
April 11, 2025
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!
— Philippians 4:4 (NET)
We delight in the grace of God — this grace that has saved us, this grace that keeps us, this grace that will bring us home. Sometimes it is good to look back and to consider. Has he been gracious to you? Consider his grace. Have you seen his favor in your life? Consider his favor. Are there new mercies every morning? Consider his mercy. Have you known the heart of the Shepherd? Consider his heart for you and rejoice!
As you consider God’s favor in your life, what is your natural response? Do you deserve these blessings? Are they owed to you?
How could you share what God has blessed you with? Is there grace you could show to someone else? Who?