The Lord is my Good Shepherd

This week, at Anchor, we meandered our way through John 10's “Good Shepherd” message, while looking back at some of David's most famous words, from Psalm 23. I think you'll enjoy the juxtapositions, section by section:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” 

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd will give his life for the sake of his sheep… I am the good shepherd, and I know those that are mine and my sheep know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I am giving my life for the sake of the sheep.”

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.” 

“I am the door. If a man goes in through me, he will be safe and sound; he can come in and out and find his food.”

“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” 

“[The shepherd of the flock] calls his own sheep by name and leads them out of the fold, and when he has driven all his own flock outside, he goes in front of them himself, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

“Yea, 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.” 

“Believe me when I tell you that anyone who does not enter the sheepfold though the door, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a rogue. It is the shepherd of the flock who goes in by the door. It is to him the door-keeper opens the door and it is his voice that the sheep recognise.”

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” 

“I do assure you that I myself am the door for the sheep. All who have gone before me are like thieves and rogues, but the sheep did not listen to them… The thief comes with the sole intention of stealing and killing and destroying, but I came to bring them life, and far more life than before.”

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me ALL the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” 

“So there will be one flock and one shepherd. This is the reason why the Father loves me—that I lay down my life… and I lay it down to take it up again! No one is taking it from me, but I lay it down of my own free will.”

My friends, let's go listen for, and follow after, our Good Shepherd all week long!