My own Jesus, Part 2: Jesus yearns for a caring relationship

I’ve always dreamt of having a small hobby farm. Sheep, goats, chickens, and maybe a calf because let’s be real, everything is cuter when it’s miniature.

Technically, we have the space on our land, we’re just lacking the animals, barns, and time to be farmers. There probably isn’t much likelihood you’ll be calling me farmer Cass or shepherd Sass anytime soon. But all this farm talk has my brain thinking about another farmer, or shepherd really.

In the Old Testament books of 1 and 2 Samuel we learn about a boy named David, a shepherd boy turned King. Scripture tells us that the prophet Samuel went searching for a King for Israel and God showed him David. The Bible describes David as small in stature, and large in heart. God even referred to David as a man after his own heart.

Can I just pause here to say; Lord, let this be me. May I be a person after your heart.

David loved music and also was a poet, writing much of what we now call the book of Psalms. One of my most loved passages is Psalm 23. This devotion came very close to being a book about David’s road map to a successful life in Christ based on Psalm 23. God obviously had other plans for this project.

Let’s look together at Psalm 23:1.

The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.—Psalm 23:1 (CSB) (emphasis mine)

My shepherd.

Did you catch that?

David clarifies that his relationship with the Lord is personal. He didn’t say the Lord is our shepherd, although he certainly is. He didn’t say the Lord is my fathers shepherd. David makes his relationship with the Lord very personal.

Okay Cassie, I get it; we have to make our relationship personal. Glad we’re tracking. Getting personal with Jesus is a must. We can’t become more like someone we don’t know on a personal level. But reading this makes me wonder why David didn’t say, the Lord is my God; I lack nothing. Why call him, shepherd?

Obviously, David knew a thing or two about being a shepherd, shepherding was his life. So I imagine he didn’t call God a shepherd without some understanding of what that means. Shepherds were often looked down on in that day and time. So it seems risky to call the God of the universe, shepherd. Am I right!? I believe David meant no disrespect to his Heavenly Father. David knew the incredible responsibility of a shepherd and said this to honor God. I believe it’s David’s hope through this psalm that we too would understand the role of a shepherd to further understand Jesus as our shepherd. Look what Jesus says in the book of John.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” — John 10:14 (NIV)

Let’s look at this verse again but compared to the amplified version.

“I am the Good Shepherd, and I know (without any doubt those who are) My own and My own know Me (and have a deep, personal relationship with Me)”

John 10:14 AMP:11

I find it extremely interesting the role of a shepherd considering Jesus. A shepherd has three jobs; protect the flock, guide the flock, and provide for the flock. And even better, Jesus calls himself a good shepherd (John 10:14). There is a far cry from a good shepherd to a bad one. Lousy shepherds would often leave their flock to fend for themselves, unable to be protected and without the provision of food and water. Wandering and lost with no direction, vulnerable to the elements and threats of the enemies lurking nearby (sounds a lot like idolatry but that’s a conversation for another day). But Jesus says he is a good shepherd. One we can trust to lead, protect, and provide everything we need to flourish.

Allowing Christ to be our shepherd is allowing oneself to surrender to his authority. It means allowing his way and his character to permeate our life. Our life is only ever as good as the manager of it. If we hope to live a life of fullness, a life bearing Christ imagine, we must accept Jesus as our personal shepherd, to know him and be known by him.

He paid a high price for you, shed his blood on Calvary knowing you may choose to deny him. Our shepherd Jesus is not interested in controlling you, but yearns for a caring relationship with you. He longs to get personal with you. To be your shepherd, your own Jesus.

Editor’s Note: This is the second of three parts. The second will appear June 16.

Cassie Downs, formerly of the Ellsinore area, is a speaker and the author of Chasing Jesus. Connect with her online at cassiedowns.com. Her book is available online where most books are sold.