Episode 05: Jesus is the Good Shepherd

I think one of the many well known passages of the Bible, Psalm 23, is one of the better known ones. The image of a loving Jesus cradling a lamb with such love and delight has always been an image that stood out to me as a child. I would see this painting of it on the wall of my father’s church. Although, as a child that experience of such a gentle and kind Jesus was almost a fantastical story more so than it was a tangible reality. I had no idea what someone like this would be in real life as no person I knew seemed to exemplify these characteristics. When I finally encountered the sweetness, the tenderness of God’s lovingkindness, I was overwhelmed and sold out for Jesus.

We only know in part this side of heaven, and there are so many aspects to Jesus as God that we have yet to discover. I believe in a God that is far more vast than the unchartered reaches of the universe, and that can be aware of the thoughts and hearts of billions of people at every moment, past, present and future. Even more amazing though, is to experience the reality that this enormous, limitless Creator can also be so finitely in tune with and concerned with the ever-changing fluctuations of my needs, fears and wants. He cares about our worries not because He is worried because He it takes our attention away from Him.

Understanding the reality of Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want” has been a harder experience to grasp especially as I have had to rely so much on His supernatural provision. Somehow the reality of it suddenly became more fully expressed when I was bold enough to attempt to sing this song in Spanish. Perhaps it is an eloquence in language or a meaning that is not grasped for me in English. Whatever it is, Yahweh is One who will be worshipped in every tongue, and even all of the languages of the world of all time will still never be enough to fully describe the greatness, the Holiness, the Love that He is.

When we finally lean into the Good Shepherd, no longer walking only behind Him, or a distance somewhat close to Him, but when we allow Him to actually carry us— we will know a love we have never known before.

Salmos 23