"The GOOD SHEPHERD Lays Down HIS Life For The Sheep."

My Shepherd! 

(J. R. Miller "Bethlehem to Olivet" 1905)

"The LORD is my SHEPHERD; 
I have everything I need!" 
Psalm 23:1

The shepherd is a favorite Scriptural 
picture of the divine love and care. 

In the Old Testament, the twenty-third 
Psalm gathers the whole wonderful 
truth in exquisite lines, which are 
dear to young and old wherever 
the Bible is known. 

Then in the New Testament, 
when our LORD would give HIS 
friends the sweetest revealings 
of HIS heart toward them, and tell 
them what they are to HIM, and 
what HE would be to them--
HE says, 

"I am the GOOD SHEPHERD. 
The GOOD SHEPHERD lays down 
HIS life for the sheep." John 10:11 

The Hebrew shepherd lives with his 
sheep. If they are out in the storm--
he is with them. If they are 
exposed to danger--
so is he. 

Just so, CHRIST lives with 
HIS people. HE enters into 
closest relations with them.

The shepherd knows his sheep. 
HE has a name for each one and 
calls them all by their names. 
Just so, CHRIST knows each one 
of HIS friends, and has intimate 
personal knowledge of each one. 

HE knows the best in us--
and also the worst. HE knows our 
faults, our sins, our wanderings. 
Yet, knowing us as we are--
HE loves us still and never 
wearies of us!

The shepherd is most gentle with 
his sheep. He does not drive them--
but goes before them and leads them. 

When they need rest on the way--
he makes them lie down, and chooses 
for their resting-place, not the dusty road--
but green pastures. He is especially 
kind to the lambs, gathers them 
in his arms and carries them 
in his bosom. 

All this is an exquisite picture 
of the gentleness of our GOOD 
SHEPHERD in HIS care of HIS sheep. 

HE is thoughtful toward the weak. 
HE loves the lambs and makes 
room for them in HIS bosom. 

Whatever the need is, there is 
something in the heart of CHRIST 
which meets its craving and 
supplies its lack! 

"HE will feed HIS flock like a shepherd. 
HE will carry the lambs in HIS arms, 
holding them close to HIS heart. 
HE will gently lead the mother sheep 
with their young." Isaiah 40:11

The shepherd defends his flock 
in all danger. Often he had to risk 
his own safety, even his life, in 
protecting his sheep. 

Just so, 
the GOOD SHEPHERD 
gives HIS life--
for HIS sheep!

CHRIST'S sheep are absolutely 
safe in HIS keeping. 

"I give unto them eternal life," HE said; 
"and they will never perish--ever! 
No one will snatch them out of 
MY hand!"   (John 10:28) 

Then at last, HE will bring HIS own 
all safely home, "and they shall become 
one flock--with one SHEPHERD!"

   ~  ~  ~  ~

GraceGems has published J.R. Miller's helpful short article, 
"Judge as We Judge".