Remember Ps. 23? You probably memorized it at some point. It starts with “The Lord is my Shepherd. I lack nothing.” Good words! Incidentally, what is shepherding?
Oddly, we’ll explore shepherding by first looking at a warrior.
Tear Into It – What Is Shepherding?
There are always four categories we explore in Scripture Dissection:
- What Does It Say?
- What Does It Mean?
- Make It Personal.
- Make A Commitment.
Suspiciously, you’ll wonder why I’m starting with a warrior, not a shepherd. Trust me – a warrior can be a great shepherd.
1. What Does It Say?
Rev. 19:11-16 says –
- 11 – “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and wages war.”
- 12 – “His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one knows but He, Himself.“
- 13 – “He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God.”
- 14 – “The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.”
- 15 – “Coming out of His mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them* with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.”
- 16 – “On His robe and on His thigh, He has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords.”
- “The Lord is my Shepherd. I lack nothing.” (Ps. 23:1)
This is what those verses say.
2. What Does It Mean?
First, what do these warrior verses mean?
Verse 11
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and wages war.”
Apparently, when Jesus returns, you’ll see Heaven open and a rider on a white horse heading your way. This rider is called Faithful and True. Interesting name! Incidentally, this rider will judge all nations. Plus, He wages war against His enemy.
Verse 12
“His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one knows but He, Himself.”
Sometimes it’s hard to describe a striking person. Jesus will have eyes of blazing fire (penetrating truth, deep love, clear, focused). He will have many crowns.
Frankly, it’s hard to keep one crown on. Yet, think about Christ’s crowns.
- As a baby and child, He wore the crown of perfection.
- Then, as a sacrifice for sin, Jesus wore a crown of thorns.
- Risen from the dead, He wears a crown of victory.
- Finally, as “Supreme Ruler” of the universe, He wears a royal crown as Warrior and Good Shepherd.
Verse 13
“He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God.”
Dipped in blood. Interestingly, Christ entered the Holy of Holies in the real, invisible temple to offer His own blood to cover sin once-for-all. (Heb. 9:12)
Now, consider the name He’s had from eternity – “The Word of God.” Actually, He had that name before He was called, “Jesus.” (Jn. 1:1)
Verse 14
“The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.”
What a sight! The armies of God will follow Jesus when He returns. They will be riding white horses and dressed in white, clean, fine linen. In other words, dressed like royalty with holy character.
Verse 15
“Coming out of His mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them* with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.”
Have you wondered about The Word of God? Basically, whatever comes out of His mouth. Sharper than any double-edged sword. (Heb.4:12) Power and skill to strike down everything raised up against His standards.
Significantly, Jesus will deliver God’s judgement – like treading grapes for a winepress. Essentially, anyone who doesn’t trust Him, will stare into the holiness of God. He will rule them. *
Jesus bore God’s fury against sin. Those covered by His blood will not know God’s fury. Rather, they will forever enjoy His grace. He will rule them. *
Verse 16
“On His robe and on His thigh, He has this name written: King of kings and Lord of lords.”
There will be no mistaking who this warrior is. “King of kings. Lord of lords.
Apparently, that’s Christ’s name as Supreme Ruler. Many have tried to become a “supreme ruler” in history. However, there’s only one person worthy of that title. Jesus, alone, is worthy.
Ps. 23:1
“The Lord is my Shepherd. I lack nothing.”
Now, the shepherding verse. Very simply, this incredible, history-piercing Warrior who conquers all evil and rides through the heavens – is also your Shepherd.
3. Make It Personal
Let’s spend time making a critical connection. We’ve already looked at the warrior, Christ. But that’s not the “whole of Him.” There’s a critical connect between warrior and shepherd.
Shepherd
Naturally, we must spend time on that small phrase I mentioned previously – “He will rule them.“
The footnote in my Bible gives the “aha” moment. Apparently, the original Greek word for “rule them” is “shepherd.” Remarkably, it would read – “He will shepherd them.“
What a tender picture comes to mind. A strong, wise warrior – also a loving, kind provider of needy, easily mis-led, helpless sheep. Of course, deep affection and love is implied by the word – “shepherd.”
A dictionary provides additional words to define “shepherd.” –
- Tend to.
- Guide.
- Guard.
- Interestingly – “Pastor.”
Subsequently, to have relationship with the powerful Supreme Ruler of eternity looks more like interfacing with a Shepherd. You, the sheep, coming close by faith to the Lamb of God. Consequently, to know He is –
- Kind.
- Tender.
- Deeply caring.
- Conqueror over all your enemies.
No one is greater than this Warrior. Yet, comforting to “be ruled” by this Shepherd.
A Bit Of Interpretation
Basically, you are invited into a personal relationship with this Warrior/Shepherd.
- “Do” life with Him.
- “Be” in a loving friendship with Him.
- “Serve” Him with total commitment.
- “Know” Him increasingly.
- “Love” Him increasingly.
Incidentally, all because God’s Spirit lives inside you. (Jn. 14:20)
Considerations
- Have you responded to this invitation to know Jesus, the Conqueror on a white horse who returns in glory?
- Additionally, have you opened to His tender shepherding over your heart and life?
- Incredibly, you are also His personal friend. “I no longer call you servants. Instead, I call you friends.” (Jn. 15:15)
This is how you make these amazing verses personal.
My Appeal To You
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- First, thank you for being part of our community/ministry.
- Additionally, please pray for Alive and Active Life.
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- Finally, we want to hear from you. Things like –
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Our email address: connect@aliveandactivelife.org.
Now, let’s explore how Christ calls you to shepherd others.
How To Shepherd Someone Else
Helpfully, here’s a list of qualities that help you shepherd someone. Notably, Jesus is all these things for you. Of course, it’s a “shepherding list” to grow into.
- Patient.
- Kind.
- Rejoice with truth.
- Bear all things.
- Believe for the best.
- Hope for good.
- Endure struggles, conflict, slander, betrayals.
- Bear up under life troubles.
- Offer faithful love.
- Refuse to be –
- First, envious.
- Second, boastful.
- Also, arrogant.
- Plus, rude.
- Additionally, self-focused.
- Definitely not, irritable.
- Never, resentful.
- Obviously, glad when good overcomes evil.
That’s quite a list. However, as you stay close to your Warrior/Shepherd, you will be a good shepherd for others.
4. Make A Commitment – Application Thoughts And Questions
What do you need to change to respond to Jesus, the Supreme Ruler/Warrior?- Additionally, have you come close to Jesus so He can “shepherd” you? Further, do you trust His love? Do you trust His Word – from His mouth?
- Are you aware of any person that needs a shepherd in their life? How can you help them see what Jesus is like?
- How are you loving others using the “shepherding” list? Are you deliberately rising up into these qualities?
- Are you dying to self each day, allowing “Christ in you” to represent God to this world?
- Did you know you are designed with unique purpose to serve the King of kings and Lord of lords?
- Have you accepted your role of servant to God?
- Further, have you accepted the invitation to be God’s friend?
A Bible Study For Your Quiet Time!
* Portions of this content come from my book – Sharp Shooting: Your Bronze Bow – a devotional book that takes you through Matthew and powerfully challenges you to live like Jesus. Find this book in our bookstore: www.aliveandactivelife.org/store.
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