Sent by Our Good Shepherd

Tension between what we know is the clear command of Jesus and how we see ourselves… If we don’t see ourselves as the kind of person who can carry out the command to go, then we tend to live in a state of insecurity / fear / inadequacy.

What if this idea of mission, of being sent out is more about the one sending, than about us?

Why did Jesus use the sheep imagery? We are not just sent, we are sent by our Good Shepherd who leads us.

Our identity, and our ability to answer the call to “go” is define not by who we think we are, but who we follow.

WHO ARE YOU FOLLOWING?

The Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd addresses all the issues of my heart

Psalm 23:1–3 ESV

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalm reorients our thinking around Jesus - He’s my shepherd, the one in charge, he provides, he gives rest, he quenches thirst, he restores and brings back.

Too busy for mission vs true rest… we are not good at true rest, but He is. Our version (distractions) vs still water. Sheep example - won’t drink from running water. Slow down to catch up...

Also, see Song 1:7-8 “Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you pasture your flock, where you make it lie down at noon; for why should I be like one who veils herself beside the flocks of your companions? If you do not know, O most beautiful among women, follow in the tracks of the flock, and pasture your young goats beside the shepherds’ tents.”

He restores my soul - brings me back. Causes me to repent. E.g. lost sheep of Lk 15.

For His name’s sake - that’s the kind of shepherd he is. He cares about every last, every lost sheep.

If you’re struggling or feeling wobbly in your faith, know that He is faithful to bring you back. That’s the kind of shepherd He is.

IS THIS THE KIND OF SHEPHERD THAT YOU’D FOLLOW?

The Good Shepherd leads me through difficulty

Psalm 23:4 ESV

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Jesus is real - lambs among wolves / in this world you will have trouble

Description of the valley

No light

At risk of bandits

ONLY WAY THROUGH

If you are in the midst of difficulty, know that it is a way through. He leads us through to the other side where there is light again. The valley is not the destination!

We do not have to fear… because HE IS WITH US. This is the crux of the Psalm. He is with us. Jesus is Immanuel - God with us. When Jesus sends, it’s not from the sidelines, he goes with us.

Better for you that I go - Holy Spirit with us.

And our shepherd is not defenseless - rod.

And when we can’t see, his staff guides us. We don’t have to see the ending - we can trust our shepherd to guide us.

Other thing to say about the valley… some of us have this sense that if we follow the call to go, we know there’s a valley there at some point, and we hesitate, hold back. We fear to go through. But here’s the thing - if he hold back from following Jesus through the valley, we can miss what’s on the other side...

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR SHEPHERD CAN LEAD YOU SAFELY THROUGH?

Our Shepherd Blesses with Abundance

Psalm 23:5–6 ESV

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Jesus sends us out as lambs in the midst of wolves - as sheep in the midst of enemies.

And it’s in the midst of our enemies that he will bless us with abundance! If we live too safe and do not go out, we will miss the blessing.

I’m saying this as a pretty cautious kind of person, but if there’s anyone worth taking a risk on, it’s King Jesus.

“In the midst of my enemies” also means that Jesus is associating himself with us no matter the cost. No matter who comes against us, Jesus is for us. (Examples from Jesus life - Zaccheus, lepers, etc)

These are my sheep and I would die for them.

That’s the kind of Shepherd he is.

IS THAT THE KIND OF SHEPHERD THAT YOU COULD FOLLOW?

Conclusion

Jesus sends us out... We are sent… BUT not on our own

We have a good shepherd - he provides, restores, protects and blesses with abundance.