shepherd

It’s 2023. Media is king. If you haven’t noticed by now, chances are you have been living under a rock. Whether it be movies, TV, social media, news outlets, magazines, or newspapers, media has never been more prevalent in the lives of people today. Everyone follows someone. It has never been easier to choose and filter where your sources come from and choose which voices to listen to and which voices to tune out.

The word “follow” (Gk akoloutheó) is defined in the Scriptures, particularly Matthew 16:24, as:

“to accompany, to follow one who precedes, to join as or become a disciple.”

When we closely follow these media types, we in essence become their disciple, listening to and taking to heart what is said, whether it be true or false, good or evil, or from a biblical worldview or otherwise. We often look to these people to enlighten us, to show us the way, to explain the things going on around us, or to lead us on a path forward. And more times than not, we are hoodwinked, led astray, run amuck, and flat out deceived. Perhaps we’ve been going about this wrong.

In Psalm 119:105, we read, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The Bible itself clearly states that our paths are illuminated by Scripture. The Word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13), which is living and active (Hebrews 4:12), and profitable for all kinds of things (2 Timothy 3:16), shows the way that we must follow. But there’s even better news than that!

In the past few weeks, Pastor Frank and I have preached on proper Bible study and being a disciple of Christ. These go hand in hand. If we follow the Word (Scripture), we will in turn be following the Word (Jesus Christ). Conversely, we follow the Way (Jesus Christ, John 14:6) by following the way (Psalm 119:105).

This is as clear to us now as ever before, although all throughout Scripture, the Way has been revealed to all those would have ears to hear. In the Old Testament alone, the Ancient Word (Psalm 119:9-16, 160) shows us the Ancient Paths (Jeremiah 6:16), that leads us to the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9-14).

In the New Testament, several messages by Jesus reveal who we are supposed to follow. Luke 14:25-33 is one of the most powerful messages we have about the importance of following Christ, and counting the cost of doing so. But Christ, being the Word, also emphasized the heeding of His Word throughout His ministry, such as in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:24-27).

If we continue to look forward, Paul writes regarding the Truth of God’s Word and the person of Jesus Christ at work simultaneously. In Romans 10:17, faith in Christ comes by hearing the Word. In Colossians 3:16, we are admonished to commit the Word to our hearts so deeply that it dwells in us. In 2 Timothy 2:15, we are told to be accurate handlers of the Word. And in 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul says as I imitate Christ, imitate me.

Time and time again throughout God’s Holy Word, we are shown how studying, understanding, meditating upon, heeding, and living according to Scripture is vitally united to knowing our Great Shepherd, hearing His voice, and following Him. There is no disconnect; if we wish to follow the Lord, we must follow His Word, and vice versa. Jesus Christ is at the same time the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No part of this is in existence without the other. Since this is the case, the ultimate Truth revealed in the Scripture and realized in the person of Jesus Christ must be considered when following the Lord.

Everyone follows someone. I wonder, who do you follow today? Will you merely profess Christ, and run around listening to everyone but Him? Or will you be a doer of the Word, and not merely a deluded hearer (James 1:22)? Don’t let anyone tell you any differently. Even in 2023,

JESUS

KING.

Soli Deo Gloria,

John’s gospel contains seven (God’s perfect number) distinct miracles displayed during Christ’s ministry here on earth, as well as seven unique “I am” declarations of Jesus our Lord. Primarily, the focus of these statements, in context, was to His Hebrew audience that could easily connect through their heritage to each phrase He used, including “I Am” (Exodus 3:14, John 8:58) However, there is a powerful underlying message for all those that will ultimately come to believe in Christ and accept His gospel (good news) message.

“I AM” Statement 1:

In John 6:35, Jesus declared:

I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger.

“I Am” statement 1 tells us that Jesus is the spiritual sustenance, or essential bread, for every believer’s spiritual hunger.

“I AM” Statement 2:

In John 8:12, Jesus boldly states:

I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.

“I Am” statement 2 literally means that those who follow and unite with Jesus through faith will not be ignorant on spiritual matters, but will have the endowment, power, and blessing of spiritual understanding.

“I AM” Statement 3:

It refers to back to Psalm 23:2 where the faithful are given free/unlimited access to His Kingdom. In John 10:9 Jesus says:

I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

True salvation is found only in and through Jesus Christ (the only door/gate) whereby one engages the promise of Psalm 23:6, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

“I AM” Statement 4:

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

These are the words of our Lord recorded in John 10:11. “I Am” statement 4 demonstrates the value God places on each individual. Certainly sheep are incapable of caring for themselves; therefore, their owners hire shepherds who are dutifully charged with the safety and well-being of all the sheep. However, many/most hired shepherds will only take that responsibility to the point where it doesn’t threaten their own personal safety/well-being. Nonetheless, there are a few … “good shepherds” … who are willing to risk their own lives and protect all the sheep! Our Shepherd knowingly and willingly laid down His life to save all the sheep of His pasture.

“I AM” Statement 5:

It teaches that whether one dies physically before the snatching away of Christ’s church, or are taken up alive at His appearing, He has guaranteed all believers that their eternal destiny is with Him!

I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. John 11:25-26.

“I AM” Statement 6:

Christ explains in “I Am” statement 6, that He is the only – exclusive — way/path to God the Father, as well as being the ultimate, inexhaustible source of truth and life. John 14:6 proclaims:

I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

“I AM” Statement 7:

This last, Christ’s final, “I Am” statement from the Gospel of John 15:5:

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

This reflects the ideal balance for every believer’s life on Earth … bearing much fruit through a life of gratitude that’s reliant upon one’s relationship and connection with Him.

What a life we have now and forever because of the Great I AM! Take a moment right now to contemplate these things, and offer sincere praise to our Lord. — PF