Welcome!
Today: What a shepherd we have, in Jesus!
Passage: 1 Peter 2
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2, NIV 84) –emphasis added
We have a “treasure” in Jesus. He is one we can be proud of!
People sometimes feel proud about a prominent person being part of their family or friends’ circle. But not much people feel so, about the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords being our best friend and we being His children!
In the first century church, they had an issue. They used to “worship” certain men who were of good position in the society. Such men were given “special seats/positions” in church, a tradition/practice we carry on to this day (!)
Do we have some “special friends/people” whom we support and uplift, while ignoring some others who are gifted and have a calling?
I have seen that in some churches. But Paul simply condemns that practice!
Jesus quietly suffered all that we gave Him- all the insults and mocking and all the physical torture. Beyond that, He also took other people’s sin/blame upon Him!
We find it so difficult to admit even the very sins we commit. How would it be then, if someone tried to blame us for something we didn’t do?
Jesus took it all. He went through the cross. Now we know better, what “cross” meant for Jesus!
If Jesus does not qualify to be our best friend, we better find out who else?
Jesus left his mission with us. He thought you and I would continue it (!)
The other day, I was reading this story about a hard working father who had two lazy sons. When he got weak, he called them and told them that there was a treasure in their farm. These kids dug up the entire farm!
Now that the entire ground was tilled, they put the crops and it gave a good yield
They sold the grains and got gold coins in return. Now, the father told them that this was the “treasure” he told them about!
The reason we get so lazy about our master’s mission is that we don’t know the benefits. The peace and joy you enjoy after ministering to someone, you can get from nowhere else. You need to try it out!
Jesus qualified for the title, “the shepherd and overseer of our souls”
He earned it. He did not get it as a “honorary degree” or something like that
No one was there to give Jesus a D.D (Doctor of Divinity); All we gave Him was the C.C (cross of Calvary)
Our souls are safer with the good shepherd. We better pick up where he left the mission
Have a blessed weekend!
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you for all that you became, for me. Help me to be unto others as you are, for me. You truly qualify to be the shepherd and overseer of our souls and our souls are safe in your hands, and with no one else. Amen
“If Jesus wasn’t the good shepherd, there’s no way we could be the good sheep”