http://bible.com/events/48815635
Newborn King: Ruler-Shepherd
The all-powerful king is the all-compassionate king.
The all-powerful king is the all-compassionate king.
John 10:7-11
Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Jesus is painting a specific picture here:
-A picture of power – “I Am”
-A picture of compassion – the gate for the sheep, the good shepherd
-He promises safety. He promises pasture. Unlike others who have come before, He promises to care for the sheep.
Matthew 2:6
“ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Why does this matter to you?
Because our king is both all-powerful and all-compassionate, I am not my own and I am not on my own.
The shepherd desires to be your king
-And what do we do in response to to the one who gave His life for us? He is either king of all or He is not king at all.
-Many of us are living as though we can call Him king, but live as if I am king.
This king desires to be your shepherd
-The truth is: we all need a shepherd. None of us, on our own, is truly capable of leading and guiding our own lives.
-The powerful truth of Christmas is that you are not on your own.