After returning from their mission trip, the disciples gave Jesus a report of all that they had done and taught. As the Good Shepherd, with a keen awareness of His sheep’s needs, Jesus instructed His little flock to come away by themselves for a while to rest. They departed by boat to a secluded place, only to discover that the crowds had gone ahead of them and were already waiting there for them.
When Jesus saw the multitude, He was moved with compassion because they were like sheep without a shepherd. They were spiritually lost and hungry because the leaders of Israel had failed to shepherd God’s people faithfully. But now the true Shepherd of Israel had come, fulfilling the promise God gave through the prophet Ezekiel:
“And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.” (Ezekiel 34:23)
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, began teaching them about the kingdom of God. He healed their diseases and then miraculously provided a meal for them in the wilderness.
What a mighty and compassionate Shepherd we have in Christ! He cares for every one of our needs and possesses the power to meet them completely. We can never exhaust the riches that are ours in Him. He is the Bread of Life who continually nourishes our souls. He is the River of Life who continually refreshes and revives us. His blood will never lose its power but continually cleanses us from all our sins. His grace is sufficient for every need we will ever face. Hallelujah—what a Savior!
As you read the passage, consider the following questions:
- One of the metaphors the Scripture uses to describe God’s relationship with His people is that of a shepherd and his sheep. Why do you think this image is so fitting? (See Isaiah 40:11.)
- Do you relate to Jesus as your Shepherd in the same way David expressed his relationship with God in Psalm 23?
- What qualities of the Good Shepherd do you see displayed by Christ in this passage?
- As you consider the call to persevere to the end, what comfort do you draw from knowing that Jesus is your Shepherd? (See John 10:27–30.)
May our compassionate and faithful Good Shepherd come and minister to His people this coming Lord’s Day, feeding our souls with His Word, strengthening our faith, and drawing us ever closer to Himself.