750. Jesus Is My Shepherd

Welcome to The Daily Platform from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina. The school was founded in 1927 by the evangelist Dr. Bob Jones Senior's intent was to make a school where Christ would be the center of everything, so he established daily chapel services today.

That tradition continues with fervent biblical preaching from the University Chapel platform today on The Daily Platform. Dr. Steve Pettit, president of Bob Jones University is continuing a study series entitled encountering God, which is a study of select chapters in the book of Psalms. If you would like to follow along in the study booklet you can get one on Kindle or you can order a printed copy from the website. The Daily Platform.com.

Let's listen to today's message from Psalm 23 which is entitled Jesus is my shepherd this morning I like us to take the time to study the most popular song in the Bible. Which one do you think it is. Of all the rankings.

This is always consistently number one and is the 23rd of Psalms. I'd like to ask you to take your Bibles and turn there this morning. If you will Charles Spurgeon call this on the curl of Psalms is definitely the most rad of all solves it funerals. It surely is the one song that is on the lips of those who are leaving this life – so what is it about the 23rd Psalm that makes it so attractive someone is written that Psalm 23 is in the middle of a trilogy of Psalms that reveals three different aspects of the person of Christ.

Psalm 22 speaks of Jesus is the servant who suffers, and it points to the cross. Psalm 24 speaks of Jesus is the sovereign who reigns and appoints to his crown and Psalm 23 speaks of Jesus as the shepherd who provides and it points to his crook or his staff. I think the attractive nature of the 23rd Psalm is that we feel an instant personal connection as soon as possible. We read it. It touches our heart. Nothing.

Most importantly, we will learn this morning from Psalm 23 how it is that Jesus is my shepherd, so let's look at it this morning as I read the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures he lead me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yay though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointed my head with oil my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. I think this Psalm is teaching us that Jesus is my shepherd.

So basically, two things I'd like us to see this morning. First of all why do we ascribe the Psalm specifically to Jesus and secondly how is it then that Jesus is personally my shepherd will see that this morning. So let's begin with the question, why do we ascribe this Psalm specifically to Jesus because obviously Jesus's name is never mentioned. The only name that we have mentioned is the Lord, the Lord is my shepherd and that's the opening phrase we call this the shepherd song, let me suggest this morning that this is definitely speaking about Jesus for number reasons. First of all because the name of the Lord L ORD in the capital letters refers to the person of Jesus Christ. You see this word Lord is actually in the Old Testament 6800 times as the dominant name for God. It's God's personal name in the Hebrew it's for letters YHWH and in English.

We tried to say I don't know if we really do it right. But we do it the best we can, so we will often say this name means Yahweh or Jehovah. But in whatever case it is referring to God's personal name is the name that God gave to Moses during the burning bush episode in the desert. Remember that God spoke to Moses out of the burning bush calls Moses by name.

Moses has a conversation and essentially he asks this voice. What is your name and what my supposed to tell people your name is and what was the response from the Bush he said I am that I what is that mean I am means yes he's the only one. Moses was surrounded by nations that had idols with those idols didn't exist and what he saying is I'm the one that exists on the self existing got on the one who exists by myself. I'm the one who exist in myself and I'm the one who exists for myself. I depend on nobody for my existence and everything else depends on me for their existence. So that's the name of the Lord as the Old Testament will how does that relate to Jesus what we come to the book of John chapter 8, we find a very interesting story here Jesus is meeting with the religious leaders and he tells them that he lived before Abraham well obviously they were confused, because how can that be true. Since Jesus wasn't even 50 years old.

And Abraham lived 2000 years before Christ and listen to the response of Jesus.

He said, before Abraham was, can you say the next two words what I am. What was Jesus claiming what was he saying he saying this that I Jesus of the New Testament. I am Jehovah of the Old Testament. You say how do we know that those who heard him understood that that's what he meant.

Because of their reaction. It says they picked up stones to throw Eddie.

They were going to stone him to death for blasphemy because he was claiming to be the Lord of the Old Testament.

So when David said the Lord is my shepherd we know in the fullness of divine revelation that we have the day that what he was saying is Jesus. Nothing is a second reason why is Jesus. Jesus is my shepherd here is because the title shepherd obviously refers to the work of Christ. Think about it.

When Jesus was born who came to see them from the Far East wisemen. What did they say what they say they came to King Herod and asking where is he that is born King of the Jews.

Well, that wasn't good news for Herod actually disturbed him. So he goes to the head priest and says where is the Messiah to be born. According to the Scriptures and these head priest gave him an incredible answer. We read it in Matthew chapter 2 in verse six is a combination of two Old Testament text one from Mike and one from Ezekiel. Let me read it to you, says, and you owe Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah for from you shall come a ruler that's the Messiah.

A king who will shepherd my people Israel. That is the Messiah would be a shepherding king Jesus is that shepherd.

We know that during Jesus's ministry.

He showed his shepherding heart in the way that he responded to people. For example, Matt Matthew 936 but when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted and were scattered abroad as she having no shepherd that tells us about his heart, so it is birth. He was the shepherd king, the Messiah in his life in his heart. He had a shepherd's heart.

But we know that Jesus emphatically declared himself to be a shepherd for a reason. In John chapter 10 verse 11. He said I am the good shepherd.

The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

When Jesus died on the cross he was dying not only as a sacrifice, but he was dying as a shepherd. So Jesus fulfills the role of the Lord, my shepherd, so when we say that were saying Jesus is my shepherd.

One other thing here and that is I believe that Jesus is my shepherd speaks of his of his personal connection to us as the shepherd is connected to the sheep so that when we read this Psalm we feel this connection. For example, the first person pronoun is used 15 times I me my you put yourself in that you feel that the second and third person pronoun. Speaking of the shepherd is used 11 times so it says key and that our Lord so when we read this week we have a connection to the shepherd. We sense that in the Old Testament God personalizes his shepherd relationship elite Israel, listen. Ezekiel 34 verse 30 and they shall know that I am the Lord their God with them and that they the house of Israel are my people, and you are my sheep human sheep of my pasture and I am your God declares the Lord God, God said to the people of Israel.

I am your Shepherd. Then we come to the New Testament. What is Jesus do, he personalizes his shepherd relationship with his disciples.

John 1027 my sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me.

There is a connection. If you're if you are a believer. There is an instantaneous connection in your heart to the shepherd's heart couple of years ago we were in the land of Israel.

We visited a place called Nazareth Village. It was a recreation of life in biblical times so that give you that sense and feel. One of the coolest things we observed was the small flock of sheep and they were in there she can or their sheepfold and their shepherd was standing outside of it. So we came, we were asked to try to call the sheep to come out so we started calling it the sheep you know and mandated even pay attention. They were acting like we weren't even there. And then all of a sudden the shepherd called out and called them by name and I'm telling you it was the craziest thing they all lift up their heads.

They turned and looked at the shepherd and they walk straight toward and immediately the Scriptures came alive my sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me.

If you are a sheep. If you are part of his flock. Then you hear his voice, and you follow him and the whole statement.

The Lord is my shepherd rings in your heart, your connection to your Shepherd, Jesus is my shepherd, so that leads me to the second thing and that is is how then does Jesus shepherd me personally is one of the sheep and that's what David is writing about David was a shepherd. David was a shepherd. King David was the one who eventually gave birth to the great son of David the shepherd King.

So how does the Lord shepherd me as one of the sheep. Well first of all, he is my provider. The Lord is my set shepherd, I shall not want. Now what is this me well it does mean that he gives me everything I want the word wall.

There is describing need. David is telling us that we will never lack for what we need. Paul writes about this in the New Testament. He said my God shall supply all your what need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus, the good Shepherd provides for his own. So here's a here's an important question.

How can I be confident that God will provide my needs. How can I be confident.

Let me go back in the Old Testament. If you don't mind the great story is when Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice his son Isaac.

They live in a town called Heber on the got on their donkeys and they wrote three days journey north to a mountain called Mariah the bottom of the hill they got ready to go up to the top of the hill to build an altar and all the sacrifice which would be Isaac and Isaac wasn't quite sure all that was going own free said, here is the wooden here's the fire father where is the lamb for the sacrifice and Abraham made a reply that was very significant significant. He said God will provide for himself a land that's called an act of faith to God provide the sacrifice. Yes, if you know the story was about to kill Isaac. God spoke and said don't do it and there was a ram called in the bushes and he offered that ram in his place and what did Abraham call the place of sacrifice. He called it literally in English, the Lord will provide. In Hebrew.

He said two words Jehovah Gyro. What is that mean the word Gyro means to see it means God sees and what is Abraham saying means this.

If God has pre-vision which he does he can see if God sees what we have need of God has prevision then God has fro vision. If he sees the need. He is able to meet the need.

Now let's fast for 2000 years. Let's go back to the exact same spot called Mount Moriah where is it today is the city of Jerusalem is the Temple Mount in Jerusalem today.

That's Mount Moriah and hear what is God do. He provides 2000 years after Abraham man's greatest need. One is that the same knee that they had in Abraham's day a lamb for sacrifice.

Who is that lamb. It's Jesus Christ, God saw our need of salvation before he ever created the world and therefore God provided the Lamb of God, Jesus, the Bible says was slain before the world was created. The God who has prevision is a God who has ProVision of God sees you and your knee.

Then he's able to meet that need. And Paul uses the logic of the crucifixion to help us understand this. Romans 832. Listen to what he says he that spared not his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him freely give us all things he's arguing from a point of logic is called 40 or he gets from the greater to the lesser Israel symbol may, if man's greatest need is been provided by God.

What is your greatest need is getting same brother is knowing you're going to heaven when you.it's knowing you're going to live with God forever. If God can provide your greatest need that everything else is a lesser need.

Obviously the logic is so Jesus is my set shepherd because he is the one who provides for me what security that is the notice number two. Not only is he my provider but he's my piece. He says he maketh me to lie down in green pastures he lead of me beside the still waters sheep by nature are fearful, nervous and extremely insecure. The primary role of the shepherd then is to leadership sheet to places where first of all, they can be nourished and satisfied. They gotta eat limitation him you don't think she they're not happy people giving animals number two.

The shepherd is to provide a place of safety and security from dangers in an threat.

So it is not only a place where they can eat, but a place where they can be safe and the number three where they can lie down and be at rest.

You gotta have all three.

Gotta have food, you get up, safety, and you gotta be able to rest what we call this by the way entire experience is feeding in this resting in this satisfaction and the security what we what what Hebrew word describes this sword that you probably know but don't realize is the word shalom. In English we put wheat we translated piece but we think of peace means that were not fighting that's not what me the word peace means wholeness or wellness or fullness or contentment is the way you feel when the test is over with the assumption you did well, that's the way you feel after you've eaten a good meal is the way you feel when you're so tired you can't wait to get in the bed.

Sometimes when I'm traveling on the weekends or traveling Québec late Sunday nights. Sometimes I'm so tired. I sit there and I dream about my bed. I love my bed.

I love it when my wife put some clean. She feels I feel it I just get in and rest fats shalom the Lord is my shalom. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters the word leave their means to God, to a watering place the shepherd leads a sheet to waters of rest. Sheep will not drink water out of a rapidly flowing water out of rapidly flowing river. Often times the shepherd will take stones and dam up the running water in order to create a little oasis of calm water with a sheet can come and drink and what is a shepherd do.

He creates a shalom environment.

That is what the Lord does for his own people. He said my peace I give them to you not as the world gives give you the Lord is my peace in the notice number two. Not only is Jesus my peace in my provider but is my restore this as he restores my soul. Sheep are prone to wander and stray away from the shepherd. Therefore, they have to be brought back all the time.

The word restore means literally to repent is that it's the Hebrew word for repentance returning back to the Lord Jesus restores our spiritual life.

For example, Jesus tells us a story about a shepherd with 100 sheep and one goes astray. What is he do he leaves those in he goes and he finds one that is lost and brings them back to the fold. Is this not what happened.

All of us. Peter says in first Peter two for your springlike sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and the Bishop of your souls. We come back and be saved were coming back to our shepherd. So she wander, but also sheep are not going to win the intelligence award there actually kinda stupid. By nature they get easily hurt to get easily bruised and cut so what is the good shepherd do he bind the sheep up like little children who fall in skin their knee. So Ezekiel tells us, I will seek that which was lost and bring again. That which was driven away.

I will bind that which is broken. I will strengthen that which was sick.

The Lord is one who restores us. So how does he do this was very interesting that the last time that we met. We studied Psalm 19. Remember what he said when he is talking about the word of God. He said the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. The word convert the word restore are the exact same our shepherd restores our soul through the power of his word last week for many of you was a week of restoration. I know because I'm hearing the testimony, Spurgeon said.

In this way when the soul grows sorrowful.

He revives it when it grows sinful. He sanctifies it when it grows weak. He strengthens it.

The Lord is our shepherd, Jesus my shepherd, and then notice number four. He is my God. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his namesake.

Shepherd leads the sheep throughout the hills of Judeo the fields of green grass.

These hills are lined with thousands of well-worn paths when the neatest things to ride to the barren wilderness of Judeo and see these paths grass doesn't grow 12 months a year and only grows at certain times is really weird when you go there because it's pretty much barren until the rainy season and boom. The grass just pops up so he has to lead down the right path. Some paths lead to food, others to cliffs in crevices the wilderness is a place of a thousand dangers only the shepherd knows the right path for the sheep to take only the shepherd can keep sheet from going the wrong way and getting lost or hurt what is he saying Jesus is the good Shepherd and that he guides us Psalm 7822 with upright heart.

He shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand you can trust the Lord to lead your life. He is a good shepherd and he will lead you all along the way and the notice number five. He is my protector. Yay though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou are with me by rod and that staff they comfort Israel is truly a land of hills and valleys.

If you never been there when shepherds leave their sheep to green pastures.

They often have to take them through valleys. Valleys are very dangerous. They called wadi's. They are normally dry river beds that contain water only during times of heavy rain. When the rain comes and the water flows through these bodies, they become extremely dangerous almost every year unsuspecting hikers in Israel watch the way to their death. So the shepherd knows how to guide them through these dangerous spots, but valleys are also dark places.

Why because the sun could be obstructed by the steep cliffs. The Hebrew word for the shadow of the Valley means the place of deep darkness, a place of death shadow. David understood this, because he would take his sheep through these valleys and one time he had to fight off a lion in another time, he had to fight off a bear to protect his flock. So what did David carry to protect the sheep.

He says the Lord, carry something a lot of the staff what is errata rod is usually an oak club about 2 feet long. It was used to defend and protect the flock against wild animals.

What did you do you whack them with the staff was longer. It was his crooked had a banner and it was used to price sheep who are stuck in the thicket in the bushes to push branches aside to pull fallen sheep out of holes to leave them along a narrow path to drive all snakes. These were the tools of comfort for fearful sheep. The presence of the shepherd means the absence of fear or when thou passes through the waters, I will be with the when you go through the wet rivers, they shall not overflow the when you walk through the fire, that you shall not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle you, for I am the Lord thy God, the holy one of Israel by Savior.

Isaiah 43 to so what will the Lord and he will be my protector. And finally, he prospers me he prepares a table in the presence of mine enemies.

He anoints my head with oil my cup runs over.

David constantly encountered deadly enemies who sought for his own destruction, yet at the same time while they were trying to destroy him. God was prospering him word for table means a scanner letter Matt spread out on the ground like a picnic blanket, a good Shepherd brings his flock to a place where they can spread out each lay down and rest. The word anoint has the idea of fullness or healthiness. David was anointed by Samuel and he's learned ever since that anointing that from that comes God's richest blessings. You and I because of our salvation to been anointed with the Spirit of God lives within us in with that comes all of the riches of his grace and David concludes the Psalm of the testimony of his confidence in the shepherd. He said surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Shirley was at mean only it's a statement of confidence only goodness and mercy will follow me all of his life, and everywhere he went all David could see was goodness and mercy. I love what Spurgeon said. He says these twin Guardian Angels goodness and mercy will always be with me.

Just as when great princesses go abroad and they must not go unattended so it is with the believer goodness and mercy follow him. Always all the days of his life. The dark days as well as the bright days.

The days of fasting, as well as the days of the dreary days of winter as well as the bright days of summer goodness supplies our needs. Mercy blots out our sins, God's goodness and mercy follows me everywhere. And David concludes by saying I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. I should think that that was talking about heaven, but the words well there's the same word for restored means to go back to the house of the Lord. It means that the way for constant spiritual renewal for the child of God is to go back time and time again to the Lord's house, and when he says forever he means the length of his days. His entire life.

And then he steps out both now and forever, because I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Jesus is my shepherd, so this morning, be happy in the fact that you have someone who takes care of your father thank you for your word and we thank you for the 23rd Psalm.

It will be good for us. The whole of our life, we praise you for. We thank you for your shepherding us in Jesus name, amen. You've been listening to a sermon from Dr. Steve Pettit, president of Bob Jones University from the study series encountering God is a study from the book of Psalms. Thanks for listening and join us again next week as we study God's word together here on The Daily Platform