The Rod and Staff

Psalms 23

What comfort we have in knowing the Lord is our shepherd. Jesus is that shepherd and we know that he gave his life for the sheep. Israel had many shepherds in its history. Domestically it was one of the more popular trades in Israel and a much needed one. It was estimated that a quarter of a million lambs were slain in the Temple sacrifices for the atoning of Israel’s sins. Shepherding was also a spiritual trade as the priest were to shepherd the people of God by leading them in the ways of the Lord. When reading the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel we see that the priest failed in leading in the ways of righteousness causing Israel to wander and chase after other God’s.

God’s people are in many ways like sheep. Sheep do tend to wander and can easily put themselves into dangerous situations. Thank God that where the shepherds of old failed and the sheep failed, God gave his only begotten son as a shepherd and a sacrifice for sin to lead us back to God and in his ways. What comfort we have in knowing that with the shepherds rod and staff we are protected in the darkest valley and in the presence of our enemies. With the rod he beats and wards off the enemy and with his staff he is able to take the crook and deliver us out of dangerous and slippery places.

What hope we have as Christians in knowing that we have Jesus our shepherd going before us and goodness and mercy following after us all the days of our lives!

Pastor Robby