It was the dark time after my first manic episode. I felt bewildered at my actions. Although I did not have control over my actions, I was still held accountable for my actions. I remember standing in line at the grocery store to pay the overdraft fee for writing a check with no money left in the bank. I had given all of my money in the bank to a homeless man. During this time, I felt lost and alone. However, God did not leave me. God introduced me to Jesus as the Good Shepherd. I felt comforted and strengthened as I meditated upon the Word about this Good Shepherd.
MEMORY VERSE
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11, NIV).
WHAT’S IN A WORD?
Shepherd…
To shepherd is “to tend, herd, guard, or lead as or like a shepherd” (Webster’s New World College Dictionary). It is “to guide or guard in the manner of a shepherd” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary). It is “a chief shepherd…is said of Christ only” (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words).
HIDDEN GEMS
Jesus is our Good Shepherd. He laid down His life for us in the same way a shepherd will risk his life to save sheep. Jesus looks intently after us to make sure we are safe.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1, NIV).
Read Psalm 23:1. Who does David say is his shepherd?
What does David lack?
A shepherd takes care of his sheep. They lack nothing because, although they are unable to take care of themselves, the shepherd provides for their daily needs and protection. In the same way, Jesus provides for our every need and protects us from harm when we cry out to Him.
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36, NIV).
Read Matthew 9:36. What did Jesus see?
How did He react to the crowds?
How are the crowds described in this verse?
What were the crowds like?
Sheep without a shepherd – so many times this can describe us as Christians. We may feel helpless and lost and alone. However, Jesus intercedes on our behalf to the Father. We can cry out to Him and He will help us.
“When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice…Therefore Jesus said again, ‘Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep’” (John 10:4, 7, NIV).
Read John 10:4, 7. Where does the shepherd go?
What do the sheep do?
Why do they do this?
How does Jesus describe Himself?
As sheep know the voice of the shepherd, we can know the voice of Jesus and follow Him. We may not hear audibly but within our spirits. In this way, we can find direction, guidance and comfort from Christ.
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen’” (Hebrews 13:20-21, NIV).
Read Hebrews 13:20-21. How did God described?
Who was brought back from the dead?
How is Jesus described?
What does He equip us to do?
What does He work in us?
Jesus is the Great Shepherd of the sheep. Normally, sheep will go astray if they have no shepherd. In the same way, we can go astray unless we listen intently for His voice to guide and direct us.
YOUR HEART’S DESIRE
“For ‘you were like sheep going astray,’ but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25, NIV). We can indeed go astray in our lives if we follow the ways of the world. However, we can return to Christ as the Good Shepherd.
Name a time when you felt lost and alone.
How did you cry out to God through Jesus?
What did you hear in your spirit?
How did this comfort you?
How did this guide and direct your steps?
Jesus guides along the narrow path. The world’s path is wide and leads to destruction. However, when we choose the narrow path with Jesus as our Great Shepherd, we will find peace in our everyday lives.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to always follow Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Help me to hear His voice in my spirit to guide and direct my steps to a fruitful life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
NUGGETS OF WISDOM
Not only do we not know God except through Jesus Christ; We do not even know ourselves except through Jesus Christ. Blaise Pascal
Remember, sinner, it is not your hold of Christ that saves you – it is Christ. C.H. Spurgeon
Jesus Christ turns life right-side-up, and heaven outside-in. Carl F.H. Henry
Christ is our temple, in whom by faith all believers meet. Matthew Henry
Look for yourself and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in. C.S. Lewis
Inner Beauty Bible Study 