Week 21      I Am the Good Shepherd 

John 10 & Psalm 23
11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep…14 I am the Good Shepherd; and I know and recognize My own, and My own know and recognize Me– Even as [truly as] the Father knows Me and I also know the Father–and I am giving My [very own] life and laying it down on behalf of the sheep. And I have other sheep [beside these] that are not of this fold. I must bring and impel those also; and they will listen to My voice and heed My call, and so there will be [they will become] one flock under one Shepherd. 
John 10:11, 14-16 AMP
THE Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him–not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake. Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

Psalm 23 AMP
During Jesus time on earth many sheep came through the sheep gate for sacrifice. I imagine that the crowds of sheep could get mixed together and external appearances would not be the best way to find your own sheep. So each shepherd would call and the sheep would ramble towards the sound of their own shepherd’s voice. 

I think about the crowds that pressed Jesus as recorded in Mark 5. It doesn’t say that anyone in the jostling crowd was healed. But then there is this one woman with the issue of blood, she was drawn to His Voice and received restoration as she followed her Shepherd.
In Psalm 23 I read all the wonderful benefits of following my Shepherd: provision, rest, refreshing, guidance, peace, protection, nourishment, restoration and best of all, a home with Him.

  
***Artwork is water color with no prep (still making daily hospital visits with dad.) 

Song “You are the Great Shepherd” by David Olinger.