The Good Shepherd
Posted by Dion Todd May 17th, 2024 1,176 Views 22 Comments
Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:35–36 WEB.
When Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, for they were like lost sheep. The words "harassed and scattered" here literally mean "torn and thrown down." Jesus saw the people as unprotected sheep wandering about lost, and they were easy prey for predators.
Jesus would then stop, teach them the word of God, and heal them. He cared about ordinary people and was not a respecter of persons. Several times in scripture, Jesus taught that He was The Good Shepherd who had come to seek and save the lost sheep (John 10:11, Luke 15:6, Luke 19:10).
Cold-hearted religious people can make you feel unwelcome, even in what they call "The house of God." They even threw Jesus out of their temple after He preached the truth to them: "So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple" (John 8:59).
They didn't like it when Jesus had lunch with sinners, either. Still, He did it anyway: "The scribes and the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, Why is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?" (Mark 2:16). The cold-hearted religious people stood outside and watched Jesus dine with the sinners, instead of dining with them.
The religious elite then called Jesus "A drunkard and a glutton, a friend of tax collectors and sinners" (Mark 2:16). I thank God that Jesus is still a friend to sinners like me.
Don't ever let cold, negative people influence your view of Jesus, for He is not like them. You are welcome in His flock. Jesus came to seek and save the lost like us, and He is always glad to see us. We need to ask ourselves, "Which group are we in today? The cold and exclusive, or the warm and welcoming." The Bible is clear about which side Jesus was on.
Jesus is still the good Shepherd. If you are wandering through life today and feel lost, take a moment and pray. No matter what you have done in the past, Jesus will welcome you into His flock with open arms. He is a friend that is closer than a brother. Jesus loves you, but sometimes His followers struggle to represent that love correctly. Let us do better.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to redeem me. I accept Your wonderful gift of eternal life and pray that You lead me from this day forward. Please speak to me in a way that I understand and let me see the world through Your eyes. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: The FAAD (Fight Against Anxiety & Depression) hosts "Feel Good Friday" at RHM each week! All are welcome to share a moment, thought or prayer to lift the spirits of the fellowship! Feel Good Friday takes place on the home page at RHM! As always, If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network
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Sherry Mccosh commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Good Shepherd
3 months ago
Heavenly Father, I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to redeem me. I accept Your wonderful gift of eternal life and pray that You lead me from this day forward. Please speak to me in a way that I understand and let me see the world through Your eyes. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Liesel aka lisa Wardle commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Good Shepherd
3 months ago
Amen and Amen!!! Oh what a God we serve who humbled Himself and had compassion only to die for us the sinner's death that we so rightly deserve, blessed be His Holy name forever and ever!!! Thinking of that old fashioned precious hymn: " Great is Thy faithfulness oh God my Father . . . . . . . . Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not . . . as Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be . . ."!!! Thank you dear Heavenly Father for hearing our prayers and thank you so much dear prayer warriors for your prayers, our little Leo is starting to feel so much better!!! God bless you and all of your loved ones and meet all of your needs in Christ Jesus, AMEN!!!
Debi Burton commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Good Shepherd
3 months ago
Heavenly Father, I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to redeem me. I accept Your wonderful gift of eternal life and pray that You lead me from this day forward. Please speak to me in a way that I understand and let me see the world through Your eyes. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! ❤️
Lynn Brown commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Good Shepherd
3 months ago
Thank You Jesus for being our good Shepard! Amen.
Yvette York commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Good Shepherd
3 months ago
AMEN Good Morning Everyone
Dan Remley commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Good Shepherd
3 months ago
Lord thank you for the unconditional love you have shown to all of us. Please always help me to do better, and when I do something that is unpleasant let me know. I am always talking and listening to you. In Jesus name I pray Amen ❤️
Cathy Webb commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Good Shepherd
3 months ago
Lead on Good Shepherd! Amen
Scott Riegelmann commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Good Shepherd
3 months ago
Amen thank you Father for sending Jesus to save the lost like me
David Krull commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Good Shepherd
3 months ago
Amen. Restore my love for people. Take anything from me that is not pleasing to You. In Jesus Name.
Crystal Redditt commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Good Shepherd
3 months ago
Amen! Yes Jesus, I want to be warm and welcoming and non judgmental with others. Thank You Lord!!!
Wanda Pennington commented on Dion Todd's blog post: The Good Shepherd
3 months ago
Thank you Heavenly Father for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ to redeem me from sin. Save all my family and friends. In Jesus Name I ask and pray, Amen