In this series we examine the emotions Jesus Christ felt when He was on earth, limited to a time in history, a geographical place, and a human body that needed water, food and sleep. We will examine how He managed His emotions; and why His emotional experiences enable Him to understand everything you and I feel. He is our help in time of trouble.

Last time we examined His experience with compassion documented in Mark 6:³⁴ And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

In that situation we saw He looked with compassion on the people as sheep without a shepherd and needing a shepherd

What are the benefits of having a shepherd?

Provision – supplying necessities

Psalm 23: ¹ (A Psalm of David.) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Want = to be without or to be deficient

First notice the word ‘my’. There is a relationship between the sheep and the shepherd. The shepherd is not just an unattached caregiver. How much must the shepherd know about each individual sheep? In so many ways we are alike. We each need food, water, rest, air. But in so many ways we are different. Some people need attention while other people shun attention. Some people need to talk it through while other people need to think it through alone.

What does it mean to you that your shepherd provides for you so you will never be without or deficient?

Psalm 23 was written in the 10^th century BC while David was running from his son, Absalom, who wanted to kill him and take the throne.

What does it mean to you that so many centuries ago God already knew you would have personal needs for a shepherd?

Protection –preservation from injury or harm

Proverbs 30:⁵Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Shield = a person or thing that protects

A shield is for protection but is not something to cower behind in fear. A military shield protects as the soldier advances on his mission. God protects you as you advance to be all that He created and intends you to be!

Of themselves sheep have no protection. They have no sharp teeth to bite, no venom, no stingers, no horns, no speed to escape and no wings to fly away

Do you see a requirement for the shepherd’s protection?

Direction –instructions or guidance

Psalm 32:⁸I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Instruct = to furnish with knowledge

Teach =to impart skill; to give instruction

Guide =to assist in obtaining a destination; to accompany and show points of interest and

Significance

Which do you need most right now – instruction, teaching or guidance?

Do you find in noteworthy that the shepherd points out the significance of events along your way?

Correction– something substituted for what is wrong or inaccurate

Hebrews 12:⁵ And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

⁶For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

⁷If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

⁸But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

⁹Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

¹⁰For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

¹¹Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

What does it mean to you to be chastened because you are related to God?

What is the contrast between human fathers and your Heavenly Father?

Do you see a difference between the wisdom and intentions of human fathers and the wisdom and purpose of your Heavenly Father?

What are the benefits of having Jesus Christ as your Shepherd?

Jesus gives salvation and pasture

John 10: ⁷Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

⁸All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

⁹I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

What does that matter to you?

Jesus is the Good Shepherd giving His life for you, caring for you

¹⁰The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

¹¹I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

¹²But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

¹³The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

Jesus knows His sheep and the Heavenly Father

¹⁴I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

¹⁵As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

As His sheep you both hear and know His voice

²²And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

²³And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.

²⁴Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

²⁵Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.

²⁶But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

²⁷My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Jesus gives eternal life to the sheep and security

²⁸And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

²⁹My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

³⁰I and my Father are one.

We know that Jesus Christ gives life that is everlasting but in this situation He is talking about the quality of that life as eternal.  What is eternal life?

John 17:³ And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Why does the compassion of Jesus and His desire to be your Shepherd equip Him to be your great High Priest?

Hebrews 4:¹³Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

¹⁴Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Our focus -Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Our challenge – Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will         accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run being yoked to Emmanuel!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when together you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti