(QUESTIONS)

Psalm 18:1-50 (Go to the ESV Bible verses)

Key Verse: 18:32, “the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless.”

1.  Who is the author and what is the setting (see opening note; cf. 2 Sam.22)? What does the psalmist first say to and about God (1–3)? What kind of man would say these things?

2.  How are God and his salvation described (4–15), and why is prayer so important (6)? How has God shown his care for his servant, and why (16–19)?

3.  How has the LORD dealt with the psalmist, and why (20–24)? What can we learn here about God (25–27)? What has the psalmist experienced (28–29)? What else has he learned about God (30)?

4.  What does the psalmist ask, and why (31)? In what ways has God helped him (32–36)? How did God give him victory in battle (37–42)? How can we be equipped with strength from God, and why is this important (2,32,39; cf. Eph.3:16–18; 6:10–11; 1 Pet.4:11)?

5.  How did God exalt his servant (43–48), and how does this look forward to Jesus? How does the psalmist respond to this (49)? What does he conclude (50), and what can we learn from this?

(QUESTIONS)

Psalm 8:1-9 (Go to the ESV Bible verses)

Key Verse: 8:5, “Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.”

1. What does the psalmist first say about God (1), and what does this mean? How does God work in the world, and for what purpose (2)? How was this fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus (Matt.21:15–16)?

2.  What does the psalmist look at, what questions does it lead him to ask (3–4), and why? In what way has God made human beings, and what does this mean (5; Gen.1:26–27)?

3.  What else has God done for human beings (6–8; Gen.1:28), and why is this so remarkable? What kind of “dominion” does God want us to have in the world today?

4.  How do verses 4–6 look forward to the coming of Jesus (Heb.2:6–9)? How does he restore us to God’s creation purpose for us (Col.3:10; Rom.8:29; 2 Cor.3:18)?

5. Read verse 9. How does our restoration in the image of Jesus reveal God’s majesty in all the earth? Why is it so important to praise him?

Key Verse: 8:5, “Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.”

Have you ever done a restoration project? A kitchen, a bathroom, or maybe a whole house, inside and out? At first it seems impossible. We’re scared and have no vision of what the ugly, smelly, dilapidated place could be. But with imagination, creativity, resourcefulness, and a lot of hard work––and cost––the place gets transformed into something beautiful. It’s a kind of allegory for the gospel. Today we’re going to be thinking about restoration, or transformation: not of living spaces, but of human beings. Psalm 8 is about creation in general, but it especially points us to Jesus and the transformation he brings. It reveals God’s greatest majesty, his greatest glory––to make us like Jesus. Really? How can we experience this? May God speak to us through his word.

Today we begin our Summer Series in the Psalms with Psalm 8. What’s the context of this Psalm? Psalms 1 & 2 begin all the Psalms with God’s ideal man and God’s ideal king. Then, Psalms 3–8 contain some of David’s laments and cries for help. But Psalm 8 is the first one with no lament, no cry; it’s all about praise to God. It begins and ends with an exclamation, “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” (1a,9) Let’s first think about his name. In Hebrew it begins, “O Yahweh, our Adonai”––two very different words for God. “Yahweh” is a word based on the name God gave of himself: “I AM WHO I AM” (Ex.3:14). In reverence for his holiness, Moses abbreviated it to “Yahweh.” In a sense, this “name” of God refers to his eternal being. But it also came to mean the personal, loving God who came to deliver his people from their groaning in Egypt. Yahweh is the God who sees, knows, and cares for each human being. He’s the LORD who created the Garden of Eden for Adam. In the Book of Psalms this name for God, “Yahweh,” is used most often in the Bible––over 700 times! When we experience who this God is, we cannot but shout praises to him.

Next, let’s think about the word “majestic.” “Majestic” is the major theme of Psalm 8. “Majestic” is something vast, like the oceans or tallest trees. It also came to be used to describe kings. It means “great,” “noble,” or “powerful.” In verse 1 the words “majestic” and “glory” are similar. The point here is, God’s “name” is “majestic” in “all the earth.” It means all of creation reveals God’s character: the glory, greatness and almighty power of God. Verse 1b adds, “You have set your glory above the heavens.” God’s glory is above and beyond even the highest things in creation. In majesty and glory, no one and nothing else even comes close to the LORD. He is above all. We all need to see and to praise him.

Look at verse 2. At first these words are not easy to understand. But they help us see how God works. The LORD is so majestic, so mighty, so glorious. And yet he chooses to work through “babies” and “infants.” They symbolize the weakest, most humble people. In contrast, David mentions “the enemy” and “the avenger.” They are scary. David calls them “your foes,” foes of God, people opposed to God. Why are they God’s foes? Because they are so strong, they think they can challenge God, do better than God, or even “get back at God.”

Verse 2 says God “stills” these foes. How? It’s not through exerting his almighty power, but through the mouths of babies and infants––God establishes strength through them. Why? Because they don’t depend on their own strength, clever minds, or abilities. They depend on the majestic name of God, in childlike trust. Our Lord Jesus quoted this verse when he entered Jerusalem and the children were crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matt.21:15–16) Through these children’s praises God stilled the chief priests’ and scribes’ criticisms of Jesus. Apostle Paul knew firsthand that this is how God works, so he wrote, “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor.12:10).

Now let’s read verse 3. When we look up at a clear night sky, we’re staring at just some of the majesty of God. The moon itself is so stunning, so profound. The stars splashed across the sky seem so deep and so endless. Yet God made them all, with just his fingers! He’s so powerful, it was like nothing for him. Gazing up at a starry night sky can make us, in comparison, feel insignificant.

So David asks a question. Read verse 4. Here the Hebrew word for “man” is “enosh.” It refers to humans in all our frailty and weakness. The parallel words, “son of man,” are literally “son of Adam.” In Hebrew, “Adam” is similar to the word “dust.” So it’s really, “son of dust,” even more lowly. In great contrast to us is God our Creator. He doesn’t need to be bothered with us. But he’s so mindful of each human being. He cares so much for each person. Why? He formed us out of the dust of the ground, breathed into us the breath of life, and made us a living creature (Gen.2:7). We’re so fragile, we can’t even understand how we stay alive. Like the psalmist, all we can say is that we’re just part of the majesty of God.

But there’s more. Read verses 5–8. This goes back to the original creation. After God created a beautiful and perfect ecosystem, with everything in its ordered place, all working in harmony, and all the land animals, he said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth” (Gen.1:26). Like the animals, we’re all vulnerable, frail and weak. But unlike them, God made us in his image and gave us dominion over all the earth. He made us a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned us with glory and honor. What is this glory and honor? It’s the privilege of knowing God, of growing in his image and serving under him in godly dominion over all his creation. The creation of human beings in his image as caretakers of his world is another way God reveals his majesty.

But because of sin we all fell far from God’s original plan and vision for us. We degraded to the animal level. We were in a meaningless struggle for survival, with an ugly sinful nature, and we brought ruin and misery to God’s beautiful creation. But read verses 4–5 again. This not only looks back at God’s original creation; it also predicts the coming of Jesus. The great and awesome Creator God is still “mindful” of us, even though we’re so sinful. He still “cares for” us, so much so that he sent his only Son to come in human form as a humble servant.

Jesus is this “Son of Man.” He was born to share in our flesh and blood, to be made like us in every respect, to be tempted as we are, and, by the grace of God, even to taste death for us. For a little while he was made lower than the angels. But now, the Son of Man is “crowned with glory and honor.” God put everything in subjection under his feet. All God’s angels worship him (Heb.1–2).

But what does this have to do with us? Everything. In this Jesus, even the most sinsick human beings can be reclaimed and restored in God’s image. Paul wrote, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Cor.5:17a). Before believing in Jesus, we were in sin. Paul wrote elsewhere that we were dead in the trespasses and sins in which we walked. We just followed the course of this world, the spirit at work in the sons of disobedience, living in the passions of the flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind. By nature we were children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. We had no power to change. But God, rich in mercy, made us alive together with Christ. He saved us by his grace, raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places. Now, we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works (Eph.2:1–10). It’s none other than a miracle of God. It reveals the glory and majesty of God.

By faith in Christ we now “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all” (Col.3:10–11). Through faith in Christ, our race, culture and human background no longer matter. Anyone can be made like him. In Christ, Apostle Paul had a glorious hope for all those who live by faith in him: “Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven” (1 Cor.15:49). He taught us, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Rom.8:29). Christ is the Second Adam. His glory and honor are that God creates a new humanity through those who live by faith in him. No longer do sin and death keep spreading and reigning through us; instead, the grace of God begins to reign in life through us (Rom.5:12–21). Wow!

But how? How can weak and sinful human beings be crowned with glory and honor like Jesus? Paul writes, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Cor.3:18). Our transformation happens as we behold the glory of Jesus. The more we behold him, the more the Spirit transforms us into his image. We need to behold him from the beginning of our Christian lives to the end. As we behold his glory, we receive encouragement and comfort from his love. We participate in the Spirit. We’re renewed in his affection and sympathy. We grow in his humility to count others more significant as ourselves. We even look to the interests of others. In short, we grow in the mind of Christ toward each other (Phil.2:1–5).

Being crowned with the glory and honor of Jesus, made like him, ultimately means we become children of God. This gives us great hope both for this life and for the life to come. Apostle John writes: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 John 3:1–3).

Read verse 6 again. Here, the word “dominion” means to rule or reign. It’s how God first created human beings: to be stewards of his world (Gen.1:28). But this dominion is not oppressive. As we come to Jesus, take his yoke and learn from him, we learn his gentle and lowly heart and find rest for our souls (Matt.11:29). We learn not to lord it over or exercise authority over others, but to humbly serve. The dominion of the Son of Man is “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). This Jesus, the humble Servant, the Son of Man who gave his life as a ransom for us, is now crowned with glory and honor. In him we share his kind of dominion. We don’t leave a trail of wounded or crushed people in our wake. We have dominion “of the work of his hands,” of God’s life-giving, healing work. It’s a dominion that wins sinners’ hearts back to the living God. Made like him, God uses even us to bring his gospel of redemption and healing to our fellow fallen human beings. As we see the power of his gospel transforming people from all over the world, all walks of life, all life experiences, we see more and more of the majesty of the LORD in all the earth.

We human beings like to make distinctions. We set people apart by their family rank or achievements. In the church there are new believers, committed disciples, and leaders. But according to the Bible, we are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal.3:28). Here in verse 5, God crowned each human being with glory and honor by creating us in his image. Our sins left us spiritually dead, sick, and lost. But in Jesus, the Son of Man, we are made alive and recreated into his original glorious image. In Christ, each of us was created to be a shepherd like God. But we can never do it on our own. On our own we’ll only remain in our pride, our selfishness, our ugly sinfulness and self-righteousness. But as we learn to live in Christ, we begin to see ourselves in his new humanity. We begin to put on our new self each day. We begin to behold his glory. Then, through the Spirit, we draw on all his goodness. We grow in his mind, his humility, his obedience, his purity, his servant heart, his compassion. Instead of seeing others as hopeless renovation projects that we should run away from, we begin to see them, as Philip Yancey says, with “grace-healed eyes,”^[1] as what they can be in Jesus.

So, are you ready for a spiritual restoration project? Are you ready to be restored in the image of our God and Savior Jesus Christ? Are you ready to become part of his humble, gracious, beautiful dominion? Are you ready to see his majesty in all the earth? Read verse 5 again. May God help each one of us experience his majesty of being made like Jesus our Good Shepherd.

^[1] What’s So Amazing About Grace? (2nd Edition, 2023)

SUMMER 2025 SPECIAL SERIES IN PSALMS

Introduction to Psalms

The Book of Psalms has 150 chapters, and they can be divided into five major parts: Part 1 is Psalms 1–41, which mainly describe personal laments and struggles to trust in God’s presence and faithfulness. Part 2, Psalms 42–72, focuses on redemption and God’s hope for the coming Messiah. Part 3, Psalms 73–89, are community laments about the seeming injustice of their suffering and national calamities, and questions about God’s covenant promises. Part 4, Psalms 90–106, proclaim God’s eternal kingship and sovereignty over all creation and history. And Part 5, Psalms 107–50, praise God for his faithfulness, redemption, and for the power of his word.

Variety of Psalms: The word “psalm” means “song.” So this Book of Psalms is kind of like a hymnbook included in the Bible. It’s good to read the Psalms aloud as prayers. Most of them, over a third, are laments, expressing grief or despair at what is happening. Some are personal laments, others are by the community, and some are in repentance. Many Psalms are hymns of sheer praise to God for who he is. Many thank God for his deliverance or blessings. Royal Psalms focus on David or his descendants. Some are called “wisdom Psalms,” others, “trust Psalms,” and some are even “imprecatory Psalms,” asking God to judge one’s enemies. There is also a set of pilgrimage Psalms, “songs of ascents” (120–134).

David’s Psalms: Over a third of the 150 Psalms have notes at the beginning. Seventy-three of them, almost half, were written by or for David, who was known as “the sweet psalmist of Israel” or “the favorite of the songs of Israel” (2 Sam.23:1). ^[1] Some notes refer to historical events in David’s life: as he fled from his son Absalom (Psalm 3); but mostly as he was fleeing from Saul (Psalms 18,34,52,54,56,57,59); or simply when he was in a cave or in the desert (Psalms 63 and 142). David wrote one after the prophet Nathan rebuked him for his adultery with Bathsheba (Psalm 51). David faced suffering from without, and from within due to his own sin, but through it all he turned to the living God in repentance and faith. We learn much from him.

Psalms as Poetry: The Psalms were written as Hebrew poetry. As such, they include a diverse vocabulary and rich literary devices like synonyms and antonyms, metaphors, similes and images. A key function of poetic language is to appeal to our emotions. So as we study the Psalms, we should seek to grasp not only the meaning of the words but also the emotional content of the verses. The poetry of the Psalms is meant to resonate with us and help us learn to come to God honestly, to know and love him. As we learn the words of the Psalms, we should let them shape us to have real faith in God, as well as godly emotions. In history many believers have used the Psalms in their personal devotions as well as in their worship together.

Psalms as Prophecy: As poetry, the Psalms are also considered prophetic. Up to 15 of them are prophecies about Jesus. Most famous are Psalms 2,16,22,69, and 110. Psalm 118:22–23 predicts how Jesus, the rejected stone, will become the cornerstone. Many more are prophetic teaching on how to struggle spiritually, how to trust in God in adversity, how to experience deliverance from enemies, and in all of life’s ups and downs how to simply long for God. As prophecy, the Psalms reveal God’s character and his plans for salvation and justice––his sovereignty, love, righteousness, and ultimate triumph. As prophecy, the Psalms give us hope.

Our special Summer 2025 series in Psalms

This Summer we will study ten Psalms, focusing on the ways God our Shepherd helps us. We pray that through these studies we may learn how to love and trust him more, and in all our struggles, weaknesses and challenges, to draw closer to him. We especially want to let these Psalms draw us closer to the One they all point to: our Lord Jesus Christ.

Summer 2025 Special Series in the Psalms:

June 1: Psalm 8, “Made Like Him”
June 8: Psalm 18, “He Equips Us”
June 15: Psalm 22, “He Hears Us”
June 22: Psalm 23, “He Shepherds Us”
July 6: Psalm 27, “Light and Salvation”
July 13: Psalm 46, “Refuge and Fortress”
July 20: Psalm 55, “Cast Your Burden on the Lord”
July 27: Psalm 86, “Steadfast Love”
August 3: Psalm 121, “Helper and Keeper”
August 10: Psalm 139, “Search Me and Know Me”

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^[1] A man named Asaph wrote 12, the sons of Korah, eleven, Solomon, two, Moses, Heman and Ethan, one. Forty-nine of these songs are anonymous. Some notes tell us the type of song it is. Fifty-seven of them are called “a psalm,” meaning likely to be sung with instruments. Thirty are described generally as “a song.” Others are called a “Maskil” or a “Michtam.” Other notes mention the tune or instruments to be used. Fifty-five were addressed to “the chief musician,” used in Israel’s temple worship, where musicians would play the tune and a choir would sing it.

(QUESTIONS)

Ephesians 4:1-16 (Go to the ESV Bible verses)

Key Verse: 4:12, “…to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…”

1. What was Paul’s situation, and what does he urge believers to do (1)? Consider carefully with what attitude believers should do this (2-3). How is it possible to live like this (3:16)?

2. How and why is Paul emphasizing the “oneness” of believers (4-6; 2:11-13)? How is this related to his charge in verses 1-3? Why is it so difficult yet important for believers to be one in Christ?

3. What does Paul say Christ gives to each believer (7; 1Co 12:7,11)?  What does Paul teach about Christ’s victory, divinity and gift-giving from Psalm 68:18 (8-10)?

4. Whom did Christ give to his church, and how do each of these serve the church in various ways (11)? Who do they “equip” and for what specific and greater purposes (12)? How are you equipping others or being equipped for ministry to build up Christ’s body?

5. What is the believers’ goal to attain (13)? What characterizes immature faith (14)? How can believers grow up into Christ (15-16; 29, 32)?

Key Verse: 4:12, “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”

Are you thankful for your church leaders? Maybe you’re thinking, “That depends on who you are talking about.” Here’s another question: How have you been equipped for the Lord’s work? Or, how are you equipping others to serve the Lord? This is our third special message on spiritual gifting in the church. Today we want to think about how Christ has gifted the church, and how and why we all are being equipped to serve the Lord and his people. May God bless our brief study of this part of Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesian Christians.

First, let’s do a brief overview of some key points in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians thus far. In chapter 1 Paul expounded so many blessings that Christians have received. What are these blessings? In Christ, we are chosen, holy, blameless, adopted, redeemed, and forgiven. In him, we have an inheritance, hope and the promised Holy Spirit. All this to the praise of his glory!

In chapter 2, Paul said we were all dead in our trespasses and sins as children of disobedience, destined for judgement. But God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ by his grace. He raised us up and seated us with Christ in the heavenly places. Paul wrote (listen to this): “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:8-10). Christ Jesus has brought Jews and Gentiles who believe in him together, into one body, one temple in the Lord.

In chapter 3, Paul declared the mystery that the Gentiles are fellow heirs of God with Israel, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Paul ended the chapter with a prayer for these Christians to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge and to be filled with all the fullness of God. And Paul praised God, “To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (3:21)

Chapter 4 begins the practical application of the letter: how to live as Christians, in view of all these blessings. Paul begins in verse 1, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…” Paul was in prison for Christ. He urges Christians to live worthy lives. How then can we Christians live in a manner worthy of our calling?

Paul gives us some words how to do this in verses 2-3: “…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Paul urges us Christians to be humble, gentle, patient and to bear one another in love. He tells us to eagerly seek unity and peace. Our human nature is often to do the opposite of this: to be proud, harsh, impatient, rude, contentious, divisive and to make trouble instead of peace. We need the help of the Holy Spirit. What is the fruit of the Spirit? Galatians 5:22-23a tells us: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”

One major theme in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is the theme of unity. God united Jews and Gentiles in Christ into one body. Paul picks up on this theme again in verses 4-6: “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father. What word did Paul repeat here? One. Not two. Not many. But one. We who are many make one people of God. One body. One temple. One church. Christians are one in Jesus Christ. We are in one family of God. This reminds me of a rowing team. They row as one [photo]. One person faces the rowers to keep the beat. The others row together in unison. If one rower did their own thing on their own timing, that person would ruin the race for the whole boat.

Now look at verse 7. “But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” As we have already learned in our spiritual gift series, we have all been given grace from Jesus, and we have all been given at least one gift to serve the body of Christ. We are many, but we serve one body, the body of Christ. We need each other and we belong to each other.

In verses 8-10, Paul interprets Psalm 68:18 in view of Christ. He writes, “Therefore it says, ‘When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.’ (In saying, ‘He ascended,’ what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)” Psalm 68 is about the Lord’s victory, and verse 18 mentions his plunder. Paul equates Jesus with the victorious Lord. We know that Jesus was victorious over sin, death and the devil. Jesus turned the devil’s captives into freed people who belong to God and who bless the church.

These next two verses of the chapter, 11-12, are most important here for our study of spiritual gifts. Look at verse 11. “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers…” Jesus gave the church gifts. What did he give the church? He gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers. That includes many of you.

Jesus gave apostles. Who were the apostles? They were Jesus’ disciples who were the foundation of the church. They were the ones responsible for writing the New Testament in the Bible, which we hold in our hands today. Those who wrote the New Testament were either apostles chosen by Jesus himself, like Matthew, John, Peter, and Paul, or the writers were close companions of the apostles, like Mark, Luke, James and Jude. Thanks to the apostles we have the biographies of Jesus Christ–Matthew, Mark, Luke and John– and the teachings of the first Christians, who followed Jesus.

There is another meaning that Jesus gave apostles to the church. The word apostle means “sent one,” or, “missionary.” Thanks to the apostles, the word of God went out from Jerusalem all over the world to the north, south, east and west. Thanks to other missionaries, Korea was evangelized. From them, Korean missionaries went out. Some came to Chicago and started this church, and we are here today, including me, because of them.

Jesus also gave prophets. The Old Testament prophets, such as Isaiah, foretold the coming of the Messiah. The prophets proclaimed the mind and will of God to the people of their time. Preachers of today who proclaim God’s word are similar to prophets. Prophets declare what God has done, what God is doing, and what God wants to do, not based on their own feelings or ideas, but based on God’s word and promises.

Jesus also gave evangelists. Evangelists are those who proclaim good news, the good news of God’s salvation. Evangelists help people who have never heard of Jesus Christ or who have never received him and believed in his name. Apostle John was a wonderful evangelist who wrote John’s gospel. He says he wrote his gospel so that we “may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing we may have life in his name” (Jn 20:31). People continue to have life in the name of Jesus Christ through the gospel that the Apostle and Evangelist John wrote. Do you have a heart to reach the lost with the good news of Christ, and do you share it with others? Then you have a gift of evangelism.

Jesus also gave shepherds and teachers. Shepherds watch over God’s flock to protect them from wild animals and thieves. Shepherds pay attention to the well-being of people: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Joseph in Genesis was a good and faithful shepherd, even while he was in prison. He paid attention to the other prisoners and counseled them based on God’s word.

Jesus also gave teachers. This is closely related to shepherding. Teachers teach God’s word. God’s word is the truth. God’s word is bread to our souls. God’s word gives life, light, wisdom, peace, and salvation in Jesus Christ. God’s word is sharper than a double-edged sword, judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Many of you God is raising up as shepherds and teachers of weak, vulnerable wandering souls, to lead them to our Good Shepherd and Teacher, Jesus.

Some of you might be thinking: I’m not a missionary, not a preacher, not an evangelist, not a shepherd, and not a teacher; so this passage is not for me. But it is for you. Look at verse 12. “…to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…” Jesus gave to the church apostles, missionaries, prophets, preachers, evangelists, shepherds and teachers–not for them to show off or bring attention to themselves. Jesus gave them to the church for a purpose. What is the purpose? Paul tells us. It was to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.

Who are the saints? Here “saints” does not mean great Christians who have died. Paul uses the term “saints” frequently in his letters to refer to all Christians. Did you know that if you love and follow Jesus Christ, you are a saint? You might think: I don’t feel like a saint. But if you follow Jesus, you are a saint. Saint means “holy one.” You have been made holy by his grace. You have been set apart for God’s sacred use to bless the church and the world. Of course, you are also a sinner, for you continue to sin. So you are a sinner and a saint at the same time. You are not “sinless,” but hopefully you are “sinning less,” year by year. You are a child of God, growing in the image and likeness of Jesus.

Paul says, “to equip the saints.” What do you think of when you hear the word “equip”? I think of a soldier or a football player. They have equipment to fight and to compete. But here, Paul says equipped for work. So that is more like a carpenter who has tools to work and build a house.

We are all both equipping and being equipped by God. For what purpose? It is not to build a log cabin. Verse 12 tells us. It is “for the work of ministry.” What is the work of ministry? Another word for ministry is service. You are being equipped and you are equipping others for service, that is, to serve God and to serve people, to love God and to love people.

Ministry involves tending to peoples’ well-being holistically. That means caring for their bodies, their minds, their emotions and their spirits. There is a lot of work to be done in all of these areas. We need to help people to be strong and healthy in their bodies, in their minds, in their emotions and in their spirits. How are you helping others in these areas in their lives? God is equipping you and using you to equip others for the work of ministry, for the Lord’s work in peoples’ lives.

Why do we do this? Paul tells us again in verse 12: “for building up the body of Christ.” P.David Won’s last spiritual gifts message on Romans 8 was titled, “Spiritual Workout.” We build our bodies by working out and exercising. We are equipped for the work of ministry to build up the body of Christ, to build up one another in the church, to love and serve our Lord Jesus and others in his name.

For how long should we do this and with what goal? Look at verse 13. “…until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” The goal is to reach unity in faith and the knowledge of Jesus. This is true Christian maturity. The character of Jesus is our aim and goal. God is making us more and more like Jesus as we grow and mature in Christian faith and knowledge. We don’t want to remain as children, tossed around by waves and winds of worldly, deceitful people.

Paul concludes this section (15-16): “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which is is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” In love. That’s another repeated theme of Paul in this and in all of his letters. Love is the key. And this is the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

So let me return to the opening questions. Are you thankful for the gifts that Christ has given the church: apostles, missionaries, prophets, preachers, evangelists, shepherds and teachers? We should be thankful for them. Next question: how is the Lord equipping you and equipping others in the church through you for the work of ministry? How are you building up the body of Christ? Remember Paul’s charge in verses 2-3: “…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Thanks be to Jesus Christ who has gifted the church and us for the work of ministry to serve Him and others. He is the head, and we are his body. We are his hands and feet in the world. Isn’t that amazing! May God help us to do the work of ministry, serving Christ and others, and building up the body of Christ.

(QUESTIONS)

1 Peter 5:1-4 (Go to the ESV Bible verses)

Key Verse: 5:4, ^“And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

1.  How did Peter view church leaders (1)? What does it mean that he “exhorts” them? Why did he include that he was a fellow witness of Christ’s sufferings and partaker in the glory to be revealed (2 Pet.1:16)?

2.  When did Peter himself first receive this directive (2; John 21:15)? Why did he make this exhortation a priority? What other things can easily become priorities for church leaders?

3.  In verse 2 does Peter use the word “shepherd” as a title or a verb? What does a shepherd of people do (2b–3; Matt.18:10–14; 1 Pet.2:21–23)?

4.  With what motive and attitude should a shepherd leader serve (2b–3)? What does it mean to shepherd with “oversight,” “willingly,” and “eagerly.” How does shepherding others test our character and motives? Why is this important to know (1Cor.4:5)?

5.  Read verse 4.  What hope is Peter sharing here?  Why do these elders need to hear that Jesus is the chief Shepherd?  How does this hope inspire us to live as shepherd leaders?

(MESSAGE)

Key Verse: 5:4

“And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

What keeps you going? For most of us, it’s hoping for a good outcome. After serving, we’d all like some personal benefit, recognition, or at least to see that it was meaningful. And usually hard work pays off. But in the work of caring for people, things can seem useless. We might feel used, unappreciated, or like it all turned into nothing. In this last lesson of our Shepherding Series we look at Peter’s words to elders. Some may think, “Wait, isn’t this addressed to elders? Why do we all have to hear it?” But his words speak to every believer. And in the Bible, Peter’s words here may be the most direct: shepherding requires a willing spirit, the purest of motives, and setting the example of Jesus. These unseen things are just as important as the work itself. Why do it? Peter says, “And when the chief Shepherd appears…” This was Peter’s hope, and it’s the hope of every believer. This hope shapes all we do. How does it keep us going, and our spirit and motives healthy? May God speak to us through his word.

What is the context? Peter is writing to “elect exiles of the Dispersion” scattered to places in modern Turkey (1:1; see map). They’ve been uprooted, pushed out, and they’re really suffering.^[1] Peter says they face not only outward persecution but also the passions of the flesh warring against their souls (2:11). So far Peter has addressed the servants (2:18), the wives (3:1) and the husbands (3:7). Now it’s “the elders among you” (5:1). Regardless of their role or the challenges they face, each group can find their way through faith in Christ.

Look at verse 1. Peter starts with the word “exhort.” He means, “I urge you,” or even, “I beg you.” Then he says, “as a fellow elder.” He’s not thinking of them as inferiors or opponents, but as his brothers. He adds that he’s a fellow “witness,” or “martyr.” Facing persecution, Peter is ready to die for Christ, as they are. He hopes to “partake” in the glory that’s going to be revealed, as they do. But this is not just a humble appeal. By mentioning the sufferings of Christ and the glory to be revealed, Peter is making this as solemn and serious as he can. Then he says it bluntly: “…shepherd the flock of God that is among you…” (2a). By placing this direction at the end of his letter, Peter is making it most important. He’s telling them, and us today, to shepherd the people around us as our first priority. We all have so many things to do: our studies, our jobs, maintaining the basic elements of our lives, and our family duties. But in a world that’s hostile to the gospel Peter urges us to stay focused on shepherding the flock of God. This charge is not only for elders but for all of us because of the new identity we all have in Christ. Peter wrote in 2:9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” As a royal priesthood in Christ, we’re all his priests, his shepherds. Every one of us is called to proclaim to people around us the grace of God in our lives.

Here, “shepherd” is not a title but a verb; it’s not a position but action. What does a shepherd of people do? First, since the flock is “among you,” to shepherd simply means to “be with” our people. We may be shy and prefer to be alone. But we shouldn’t hide. To shepherd our people, we’ve got to be present with them. Who is my flock that God assigned to me? A working parent comes home to a spouse, and little ones or teenagers. They are our personal flock. “The flock of God that is among you” also means those who gather with us in the name of Jesus, our brothers and sisters in Christ. Ultimately, “the flock of God” means all the people in our mission field. Whether they are not yet Christians, brand new believers, struggling Christians, or faithful coworkers, to shepherd people, we first need to see them as “the flock of God” among us. God sends them (John 17:6), and we have to accept them as they are. We need to open our eyes to see “the flock of God” all around us. Without Jesus, people are perishing without the living hope. Why must a shepherd be “among” the flock? Is it for our human ambition? No, it’s because of the compassion of Jesus our Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for the sheep (John 10:11). To be among them requires real humility and self-sacrifice.

But what does it mean to “shepherd” people? There are many good ideas about it, but maybe we should listen to the chief Shepherd. He said, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones…What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?…So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish” (Matt.18:10–14). Leave everything to go after one? Really? Honestly, we may think, “That person doesn’t fit into my strategy. Her problems are not my problems.” That’s trying to do God’s work like a business, not as a shepherd. Even one person that God brings to us is “the flock of God.” Why? Because each person is God’s creation, made in his image. As the flock of God, God cares for each one. In shepherding, our Lord Jesus is telling us that one person is most important. God wants each one to have a good shepherd. When a totally lost person meets a good shepherd, that person changes. But being with needy and flawed people is hard. We have to get to know them. We need to be asking good questions and listening carefully and patiently. We need to get genuinely interested in their welfare. As we learn about their brokenness and sins, we shouldn’t try to escape; we need to stay with them and keep pointing them to Jesus. To shepherd people, we need to bear with them in love. And to truly shepherd them, we’ve got to pray for them, and for ourselves.

Peter adds the words, “exercising oversight.” It means to keep watching over people, checking in regularly. Shepherds of animals need to carefully check on each one daily. Likewise, to shepherd people we need to pray for them daily, find what word of God can best help them, feed them a healthy spiritual diet, and help them obey it. People need reminding to live in the presence of Jesus, to rely on him daily, to “come to him” (2:4a) for his mercy and forgiveness, for wisdom, direction and guidance. People need reminding to trust in Jesus in the midst of all life’s problems and challenges. We also need oversight to protect God’s flock in our care from evil and from going in the wrong direction. It means not dropping the ball or being negligent, but diligently, faithfully guiding––sometimes gently, sometimes alongside them, and sometimes, strongly. Sometimes it means crying to God in our prayers, and even becoming sleep-deprived.

To really shepherd God’s flock is never safe; it’s risky. Yes, it often leads to being used, abused and accused, as Jesus was. And often it means having our hearts broken. But we have no luxury of pulling out. The needs and dangers of God’s flock constantly keep coming. Shepherding means living an unselfish life, focused on Jesus and others. It’s how we share Christ’s sufferings practically each day. The only way to sustain such a life is to stay close to Jesus and our living hope in him.

How else should we shepherd? Peter says, “…not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly…” (2b) Shepherding people tests our character and our motives, things that only God sees (1 Cor.4:5). Who volunteers for this? Who’s eager to lose for the sake of shepherding? It’s not enough to go through the motions; God wants us “willing” and “eager.” The word “eagerly” means “with brisk and cheerful readiness.” “Brisk” and “cheerful”? This is shepherding people not with human strength and ability but with a new heart and a fresh spirit. It’s the way old Abraham served the three guests in the heat of the day (Gen.17–18). To renew our eagerness to shepherd God’s flock, we need circumcision of our hearts (Rom.2:29). We gain such a willing and eager spirit, such pure motives, when we set our hope fully on the grace that will be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1:13).

Peter has one more honest challenge for us: “…not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock…” (3) “Who, me?” we may say. But people may find us domineering in our teaching or personality. How can we overcome this? Peter says simply, “being examples to the flock.” What example? He told us, “…Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps…when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (2:21–23). Learning to be quiet like our Lord Jesus, suffering injustice and abuse with faith like he did, is one of the best ways to overcome being domineering.

How can we shepherd people with such a heart and good example? We may need therapy. But what we really need is a revival of our faith in the living hope. What is this faith and hope? Read verse 4. We need this faith and hope in Jesus, faith that he’s watching it all, and faith that he’s coming. Earlier Peter calls Jesus the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls (2:25). Here he calls him our “chief Shepherd.” We all are just flawed undershepherds. One day, Jesus will “appear.” When he does, his glory will be “revealed” (1:5,7; 4:13; 5:1). Our Lord Jesus wants us to live with faith that his glory will surely be revealed one day.

What is his glory? It’s his salvation for sinners who turn to him in faith. It’s also that he’s the Judge of the living and the dead—everyone who ever lived. Peter says Jesus is “ready” to do it (4:5), and that his judgment begins with the household of God (4:17). In the hope that he’s coming, we also need the deep awareness that I’m personally accountable to Jesus the Judge. If we follow his example to shepherd the flock of God, he promises “the unfading crown of glory.” This unfading crown of glory is our eternal reward. It’s the mind-boggling privilege to “partake” in his glory (5:1b). In verse 10 Peter says, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” To shepherd his people, we need this faith and hope in his coming, and in “the God of all grace.”

We’ve been praying that through our UBF ministry God may raise spiritual leaders for the world and for future generations. Some may be right here among us. We pray to raise shepherds of people like our Lord Jesus: shepherds deeply aware of their accountability to Jesus; shepherds who stay with people because of the compassion of Jesus; shepherds who keep pointing people to Jesus; shepherds who suffer quietly like Jesus; shepherds who have a living hope to share in the glory of Jesus. May God reignite the fire of this vision in our hearts and help us keep praying for it fervently.

So, what keeps you going? May God help us accept these solemn words: “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you.” May we do it before God, holding onto his promise with our faith in Jesus renewed. Let’s read verse 4 again. “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

^[1]  In this letter the word “suffer” is repeated 17 times, more than any other book in the Bible.

(QUESTIONS)

Ezekiel 34:1-31 (Go to the ESV Bible verses)

Key Verse: 34:23, ^“And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.”

1.  Who were “the shepherds of Israel,” and what was their problem (1–3)? Who was God most concerned about (4)? When this work was not done, what happened (5a)? What does it mean to “scatter” and “wander,” and why did God call them “my sheep” (5b–6)?

2.  What would God do about this (7–10)? What does “I will require my sheep at their hand” mean (10a)? Why would God dismiss such “shepherds” (10b)?

3.  What did God himself promise to do (11–12)? Where would he bring them, and why (13–14)? What can we learn about God in verses 15–16?

4.  In verses 17–22, what other problems among his sheep did God promise to address? What can we learn here about human beings and about God?

5.  What was God’s solution to this situation (23–24)? What was it about David that made him God’s ideal (1 Sam.13:14)? How is God’s covenant of peace described (25–31), and what else does this show about God? How does Jesus fulfill these promises (Rev.7:17)?

6.  In light of this chapter, what traits in leaders is God looking for, and what practical work does he want done for his people? How can we grow as good shepherds?

(MESSAGE)

Key Verse: 34:23 “And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.”

Let’s briefly review shepherding. Shepherding begins with Jesus’ love. Those who have Jesus’ love are called to tend his flock. How should a shepherd see the sheep? A shepherd sees them with compassion, like sheep without a shepherd, harassed and helpless. What then is the practical work God expects from shepherds? And how can we be the shepherd God wants us to be? This is what we want to learn today.

Some may wonder why the title is “‘God’s heart for his people” and the subtitle is “The Covenant of Peace”? God’s heart is not mentioned in this passage. But his heart permeates the entire passage. Out of his heart, God shows us his example of practical shepherding. God’s shepherding reaches its climax when He promises to send His Messiah after his own heart. His Messiah brings the covenant of peace.  And the covenant of peace through Christ gives us a new heart and a spirit for God’s people that we can imitate and do God’s practical work of shepherding.

So, my opening question is, “What is your heart for people like?” Is yours after God’s own heart, full of love, compassion and mercy? When I examine my heart, I feel like it is tainted with indifference, selfishness and cynicism. I can’t be a shepherd. However,  this message is for those who feel like me. Let us fix our eyes on God  and see his practical work of shepherding us. Let us renew our faith in God’s covenant of peace through the Messiah. Let’s claim by faith the new heart of Christ through his Spirit. Let’s imitate God’s  practical work of shepherding.

1. God’s practical work of shepherding us

Are you familiar with the book of Ezekiel? In short, Ezekiel, a priest, was one of the first group of Israelites captured and exiled to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar  in 597 BC. His prophecies had two main themes: God’s warning of judgment upon Israel and all nations—because Israel broke their covenant relationship with God—and second, God’s hope for the restoration of his people and all nations.

The immediate context of today’s passage is found in 33:21, which says, “In the twelfth year of our exile, in the tenth month, on the fifth day of the month, a fugitive from Jerusalem came to me and said, ‘The city has been struck down.’” In 586 BC, Jerusalem and the temple were completely demolished. Most of the people of Israel were exiled, scattered throughout the world. Ezekiel’s prophecies were fulfilled. Now, in chapter 34, in the midst of great tragedy, we hear God speaking through Ezekiel about what He was going to do.

Firstly, God dismisses the shepherds of Israel out of his shepherd heart (1-10). Look at verses 1-3. “The word of the Lord came to me: ^‘Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep.’” God was not indifferent to the suffering of his people. Rather, God’s heart was broken because of the negligence, abuse and greed of the shepherds of Israel. Who were the shepherds of Israel? Kings and the religious leaders were supposed to be shepherds. In this passage, God was particularly against the Israelite kings. Why? Instead of feeding their people, they fed themselves. Even worse, they ate the fat and clothed themselves with the wool, slaughtering the sheep for their gain. They didn’t do their practical work of shepherding. They didn’t strengthen the weak, heal the sick, bind up the injured, bring back the strayed, and seek the lost. Rather, they ruled God’s people with force and harshness (4b). God prosecuted them for their abandonment of duty saying, “I am against you, shepherds of Israel!” What happened to the sheep? They were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. They wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. Literally they got deported to Babylon and were scattered over the face of the earth. Spiritually they wandered from the Lord God. When God saw his wandering and suffering sheep, God’s heart was grieved.  God  lamented, “My sheep were scattered… My sheep were scattered, with none to search or seek for them” (5b-6).

What did God do about this? In verses 7-10, God called his people ‘my sheep’ six more times. When his sheep were neglected, abused and abandoned by the shepherds, God was against the shepherds. He made the kings into captives. Look at verse 10. “Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” God held them accountable. May God give us the fear of God in our hearts, for he will hold each of us to account as well.

Secondly, God promises to shepherd his sheep (11-16).  After firing the bad shepherds, what did God himself promise to do? Look at verses 11-12. “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.” Notice how many times God said, “I will!” God promised to bring them out of captivity in Babylon and other nations. God promised to bring them back to Israel that they should lie down in good grazing land (13-14). In verses 15-16, God promised to do practical work of shepherding for his people. Let’s read them together. “I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God.  I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.”

What can we learn about God? God loves his sheep. Out of love, God promised to step in and do what the human shepherds of Israel failed to do. God would do everything necessary for his sheep. He will seek all the lost and bring back the strayed. He will bind the injured, strengthen the weak. He will have them lie down in safety and security. The picture of Jesus with a lamb in his arms symbolizes the kingdom of God where the harassed, helpless, anxious, lost, injured and fearful sheep can enjoy permanent and perfect safety and security. God is also just. In 16b he said, “…and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.”  Who are the fat and strong sheep? And why would God destroy them? Let’s see next.

Thirdly, God judges between sheep and sheep (17–22). Surprisingly, there were sheep—strong and fat—who bullied others. They grazed first, trampled the rest, drank clean water, and muddied what remained. They pushed the weak aside. Thus the Lord God, the Shepherd for his flock, said to the cruel bullies, “Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep” (17,20,22). God promises to rescue the weak from the selfish strong sheep. God sees when people abuse others. God will judge so we can trust in God’s justice over all evil. May God have mercy upon us all, including our children, that we can share food, water and blessings with our fellow brothers and sisters. May God bless us to develop true friendship with our fellow sheep.

Fourthly, God promises to raise up one shepherd for his people (23-24). Let’s read verse 23. “And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.” God calls this one shepherd ‘my servant David’. Who was David? He was the second king of Israel, Israel’s greatest king, a man after God’s own heart. Acts 13:22 says, “ [God] raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’” Though he was flawed, David was the shadow of the perfect shepherd, who will shepherd God’s people with God’s own heart. Who is this Perfect Shepherd? He is the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Out of God’s heart for his people, God swore to himself in verse 24. ^“And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the Lord; I have spoken.”  What then was God’s will that the Messiah would do?

Fifthly, God promises to make a covenant of peace through the Messiah (25-31). Look at verse 25a. “I will make with them a covenant of peace.” Why did God have to make a covenant of peace?  It was because his people broke their covenant, or promise to God, and were therefore sent into Babylonian exile. They broke their covenant by worshipping foreign gods and by allying themselves with worldly powers. They disobeyed God by not practicing justice and mercy. Thus, the Lord God of Israel, who is holy, spit them out of the Promised Land. Their kings, the fat and strong sheep, and even the wandering sheep violated their covenant with God. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Once they were God’s people, but now they were no longer his people. What they need and what we desperately need is the perfect shepherd after God’s own heart who will lay down his life as a ransom to restore us back to God. God desperately wants to make this covenant with them and us. How is Jesus a man after God’s own heart in his matter?  Hebrews 10: 5-7 says “Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’” In obedience to God’s will Jesus came to give his life as the Lamb of God.  Jesus became the Good Shepherd who made the covenant of peace between God and man possible by giving his life as a perfect ransom.

What do the people in the covenant of peace look like? Verses 25b-31 describe it poetically. “They will dwell securely in their land”(25b, 27, 28). “I will make them… a blessing and I will send them showers of blessing”(26). Freedom from sin and Satan! No more slavery. No more wild beasts. No more hunger, and no suffering (27b). The covenant of peace is not only for the Israelites, but for all nations and all creation. The best blessing of the new covenant is found in verses 30-31. “And they shall know that I am the Lord their God with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, declares the Lord God.  And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord God.”

The covenant of peace is now already offered to anyone who receives Jesus’ broken body and his shed blood on the cross as their true spiritual food and drink.  And this covenant of peace is  completely fulfilled by Jesus in heaven. Rev 7:17 says, “For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

The covenant of peace truly highlights God’s heart, God’s vision and hope through the shepherd, Jesus Christ. The covenant of peace is what God truly wants to make with you and me. The covenant of peace is  the ultimate goal of his shepherding his people. If you feel insecure, threatened, ‘I don’t matter,’ receive Jesus as the Lamb of God for your sins and as the shepherd of your soul. If you feel broken and wounded, helpless under the power of sin and Satan, accept the covenant of peace and receive his healing, binding, rescuing and freedom!

I don’t want you to miss another blessing that comes through the covenant of peace. Ezekiel 36:25-27 proclaims “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.  And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” When we are in the new covenant, God gives us a new heart. He takes away our heart of stone, and gives us a heart of flesh. If you have accepted Christ and his covenant of peace, then each of us is a man or woman after God’s own heart right now, by faith! I want to ask my opening question again, “What is your heart like?” Even though you may not feel that you have God’s own heart, you do have a new heart. Believe it by faith. Claim it. Yes- I have God’s shepherd heart right now! As we come to Jesus continually, our hearts are cleansed, renewed and conformed more and more to God’s own heart. Amen. We also have a new spirit, God’s Spirit within us.

1. Our practical work of shepherding others

What then will we do believing that we have God’s heart and God’s Spirit? We can’t help doing what God, the Ultimate Shepherd, wills and does: shepherding his people.  We do what Jesus, the Good Shepherd commands us to do: shepherding his sheep.

What then is the practical work of shepherding? There are several things the bad shepherds failed to do but God was determined to do. God is feeding the hungry, strengthening the weak, healing the sick, binding up the injured, bringing back the strayed, and seeking the lost. These tasks seem to require a great amount of knowledge, wisdom, discernment, not to mention certain traits like love, patience, persistence, hope etc. Some of us might be scared to fail. Or In fact, shepherding seems too demanding and difficult, while we feel inadequate. Or we think, it’s hard enough to take care of myself and my own family! How can I take care of others like this, with all their needs? Shouldn’t only seasoned, well-trained, experienced and gifted shepherds do these things? No! Each of us can do so. How? You  can do what you can do by faith. We can work together as a team. Let’s think about finding the lost. Imagine you lost your cell phone. What will you do? What if you lost your car key? Your pet? Or your child? What about God’s sheep then? It is a matter of heart. We have a new heart of God within us. So now, let’s pray- Lord, help me to  see others with the heart of yours that you have given me! Help me to see one person as a lost sheep, or lost child, and seek one lost person on the campus, or at my workplace, or at the store, or at the park, with your heart that lives within me. Amen!

Strengthening the weak, healing the sick and binding the injured seems like something only a trained healer can do. Healing the sick requires careful examination, correct diagnosis and timely treatment. But don’t be afraid! When we have God’s heart for the sick, we will find a way to help.  We can pray for the physically and spiritually sick. We can share the life-giving word of God, or word of encouragement to strengthen the weak. We can serve a meal to someone in need for fellowship. We can ask help from others in our community.

However, the most important thing we can do is to have the covenant of peace and share the covenant of peace through Christ with others. The covenant of peace in Christ makes the weary and burdened secure, strengthens the weak, heals the sick, binds up the injured, brings back the strayed and finds the lost. We can do our best humanly. But ultimately, God, the ultimate Shepherd, will provide you with the proper ways and means to tend them. Only retain and renew God’s heart for his people and  share the covenant of peace in Jesus Christ with others around you.

In conclusion, the Lord God is looking for shepherds with his own heart. Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd is looking for shepherds who have absolute faith in the covenant of peace and who are ready to do the practical work of shepherding. People around us are like sheep who yearn for the covenant of peace. May God help us believe that we have God’s heart and do the practical work of shepherding by leading others to the covenant of peace in Jesus Christ.

(QUESTIONS)

Matthew 9:35-38 (Go to the ESV Bible verses)

Key Verse: 9:36, ^“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.“

1.  Review how the scribes and Pharisees had been responding to Jesus (3,11,34). What was their problem (3:7–10; 9:12–13,17)?

2.  How is Jesus’ ministry described, and how does it differ from the Pharisees’ (35; 1:23; 2:6)? What does “proclaiming the good news of the kingdom” mean (3:2; 4:17)? Why is he healing every disease and affliction (12:18–21)? How can we imitate him today?

3.  How does Jesus see the crowds (36), and what does this show us about those times? Think about the meaning of: “harassed”; “helpless”; “like sheep without a shepherd” (Num.27:17). How might some people have seen such crowds? Why is it so important to see people with the compassion of Jesus?

4.  What does Jesus say to his disciples (37)? What does he mean by “the harvest” (John 4:35)? What does it mean to be a “laborer,” and why are they so few? What else does Jesus tell his disciples (38)? How and why should we be praying this today?

(MESSAGE)

Key Verse: 9:36, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

How do you view people? Do you tend to be negative, positive, or indifferent? In these four verses Matthew highlights how Jesus saw people. His view of people was at the core of who he was. It made all the difference in his ministry. In fact, it was so impactful, it changed the world. In our shepherding series we first looked at the starting point: experiencing the great love of Jesus, as Peter did. As we experience and abide in his love we can start doing what he said, “Feed my lambs.” Now in this lesson we see in Jesus himself an essential trait of a shepherd: compassion for people. Without his compassion, the truth is, we’re not really interested in people. Though we may be serving them in some way, we’re mostly just going through the motions. But his compassion is a game changer. It opens our hearts to understand people more deeply and energizes us to do something for them. What is this compassion of Jesus? How can we have it, grow in it, and be renewed in it? How can God use his compassion to change our personal lives and our ministry? May God speak to us through his word.

Today’s passage is a turning point in Matthew’s Gospel. Chapters 4–8 describe how Jesus’ ministry started. He preached the good news of the kingdom, and healed every disease and affliction (4:23). He taught new kingdom values, ethics, and a new kingdom lifestyle for those who follow him (chapters 5–7). Then, with the power of God he touched and cleansed a leper, blessed the faith of a centurion, healed Peter’s mother-in-law, calmed a storm, and healed two men with demons (chapter 8).

Now the Pharisees begin opposing Jesus. They’re mentioned three times in chapter 9. First, when Jesus tells a man his sins are forgiven, the Pharisees think he’s blaspheming (9:3). Later, when Jesus eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners at Matthew’s house, they question his disciples (9:11). Finally, when Jesus drives out a demon from a mute man, they even say he’s working by the power of the prince of demons (9:34). While the Pharisees focus on fasting and staying away from sinners, Jesus is bringing people amazing healing and restoration. Yet every move he makes, they criticize. The Pharisees began as a group that was seriously pursuing purity in this corrupt world. They memorized the Old Testament and really tried to obey it. But over the years they began adding extra-Biblical traditions. Eventually, they became hypocritical, judgmental, and condescending. They dominated the synagogues in Jesus’ time. They first appeared back in chapter 3, where John the Baptist rebuked them. Their main problem was they didn’t know how to repent (see also chapter 23). Now in chapter 9, Jesus tells them to go and learn God’s mercy towards those sick with sin (9:11–13). In their self-righteous legalism they are like old wineskins (17). They are jealous of Jesus’ popularity, which blinds them to see all the good God is doing through him and makes them too proud to learn from him.

Despite the Pharisees, what does Jesus do? Look at verse 35. Going in person to so many scattered places, traveling on foot, is a daunting task, and physically exhausting. But Jesus wants to be among the people. Why? At his birth the angel said Jesus would be “Immanuel”—God with us (1:23). He’s the ruler sent by God to be the shepherd of his people (2:6; Mic.5:2,4). Jesus knows God has sent him to be a doctor for the spiritually sick (9:12). So he avoids debates and power struggles with the Pharisees and goes among the people, “teaching in their synagogues,” where people actually gather. He’s sharing the life-giving word of God, “proclaiming the good news of the kingdom” (cf. 3:2; 4:17). This good news is that through sending Jesus to this world, God himself has broken into our human experience, bringing real salvation. God is redeeming this world full of sin, death and curse, all its misery and ugliness, and bringing it back to himself through Jesus. God is inviting us all to come out from under Satan’s oppression and injustice and under his own gracious reign. This good news of his kingdom is not for a select few; it’s still for anyone, regardless of race, income, or human circumstances.

This message of the kingdom gets at what our souls are longing for. It tells us all how to come back to our Creator God, to have our true “home,” our true “paradise,” in him. It’s what human beings lost at the beginning of creation, and what God promises us in the end. People in every generation try so hard to build a kingdom for themselves in this world. But it never works. Even the best earthly kingdoms don’t last. We all need the good news of the kingdom. It’s our only true and living hope. This hope is worth living for, and worth dying for. In the kingdom of Jesus, anyone can find their true worth, dignity, and place to belong.

Jesus is also “healing every disease and every affliction” (35b; cf. 4:23; 10:1). His message of the kingdom is accompanied by God’s power and authority to cure “every disease and every affliction.” It proclaims still today that no one is too sick or damaged for God to redeem and restore through his Son, who can heal us all (12:15). Jesus used his God-given power and authority as king of the kingdom not to “dominate” or crush, but to tenderly heal (cf. 12:20). His beautiful healing ministry gives hope to all those who feel like damaged goods. It communicates the grace and reality of his kingdom. It draws all those who labor and are heavy laden to open their hearts and come to him (11:28). His message and his healing were like cold water on a parched desert ground. Many Christians emphasize morality, rules, or duties. But as followers of Jesus, we should be helping people receive this good news of his kingdom, and experience deep inner healing through really coming to Jesus.

Look at verse 36. The way Jesus sees people here is striking. Crowds of sick, broken, hungry people constantly coming wherever he goes might seem too needy, too demanding, too burdensome. Some might see them with critical eyes, as ignorant, corrupt, or even contaminating. Others might see them as a market, a chance to make a profit or gain a position. But when Jesus sees them, it says he has “compassion.” In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus has this same initial reaction to people three more times (14:14; 15:32; 20:34). It’s telling us something important about Jesus. He’s not some ultra-perfect, demanding person, far removed from our experience. Jesus was made like us in every way, except our sin, so that he could be merciful and faithful to us and sympathize with our weaknesses (Heb. 2:17; 4:15). The Greek word for “compassion” literally means to experience pain in our abdomen. It’s like today’s words, “I feel your pain.” Compassion isn’t a carefully calculated response; it’s a gut reaction that comes from our nature. We’ve either got it or we don’t. Compassion for people is at the core of who Jesus is and what he’s doing. He’s also training his disciples to have compassion for people (14:14; 15:32). In a later parable he uses this Greek word to teach us how to respond to our debtors begging for patience and forgive them (18:26–27).

Why does Jesus have compassion? Look at verse 36b. Let’s think about each word here. The word for “harass” is literally “skin” or “lacerate.” It means to annoy or make anxious, to “rip off,” take advantage of, even to torment. It’s not coming from just one or two places; it’s from the political leaders, the business leaders, even the religious leaders. Everywhere they turn these people are being squeezed. It’s to the point it’s hard even to live or breathe. The word “helpless” literally means to be cast down. That happens to a sheep when it falls on its back; it’s helpless to get up on its own. It describes people so wounded, so weak, so tired, they have no power even to stand up. Without someone to help them, they’ll never make it. It’s true for some people humanly, but for all of us spiritually. Sin makes us that helpless. No one can get out of it on his own. Finally is the phrase, “like sheep without a shepherd.” These words originally came from Moses. At the end of his life he asked God to raise up his successor, “that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.”^[1]

What does it mean to be “like sheep without a shepherd”? Shepherds are present to lead their sheep to green grass and fresh water, to protect and take care of them. Sheep without a shepherd soon get dehydrated, malnourished, and sick. Without a shepherd, they’re totally vulnerable. Abandoned, they easily wander and fall into danger (cf. Eze.34:3–6). Children can be like sheep without a shepherd. But we usually think of adults as independent, self-sufficient, able to function on their own. In light of Jesus’ view here, that’s a superficial understanding of human beings. Without a personal relationship with God our Shepherd, all people are actually like sheep without a shepherd. Their souls are hungry, thirsty and dissatisfied. They suffer from fear. They don’t know who they are, what they should be doing, or where their lives are going. They easily get caught up in the wrong things and can become self-destructive. In our fallen nature we’re indifferent, thinking, “I’m glad that’s not my problem!” And we’re quick to be critical and judgmental, especially when we see people doing wrong. But Jesus would say, “If only that person had had a good shepherd, he or she would not have become like this.” His visceral reaction to sinful, anxious, helpless people is not to condemn or avoid them: it’s compassion––to understand what they’ve been through, to care, to get involved. Without his compassion, we can’t touch people where they’re hurting and bring the healing of Jesus. Jesus wants us to be shepherds who’ve internalized his compassion, who genuinely care and shepherd people to come to Him.

But how? How can we have his compassion? Philippians 2:1 says, “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy…” The only way to have his compassion is to live in Christ, to be in his presence each day through the Holy Spirit and learn to walk with him, to depend on him throughout each day. Then, whether we’re at school, at work, with our little ones, or with church members, we’re encouraged by Jesus, comforted by his love, participate in his Spirit, and keep growing in his affection and sympathy. This spiritual union with Jesus is our access to his compassion. And we have to “put it on,” or practice it, every day with people in our lives, having “compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…” (Col.3:12). We also need to get close to people, to listen to their agonies, to even let our hearts be broken. If we’re going to see people with his compassion, we can’t protect ourselves from their pain. There’s no “safe way.”

As “University Bible Fellowship” we pray for the young people of America to come to Christ. Currently there are about sixty million teenagers and college students in the US. Maybe a tenth are committed Christians. Many come from dysfunctional families, and for about a third of them their parents have divorced. At a young age they’re all facing the challenges of mental health, social stigma, and anxieties about social issues, academic burnout, isolation, job insecurity, climate change, and global instability. Social media influencers try to manipulate our youth with unrealistic ideas about beauty, to market all their latest products. Businesses heavily target them to sell their fashions, entertainment, fast food, credit cards, alcohol and other unhealthy lifestyle choices. Political parties and ideological groups actively recruit them to their polarized advocacy agendas. Religions target them, some using high pressure, manipulative tactics, to lure and indoctrinate them into unorthodox and unhealthy belief systems. Online communities and subcultures entice them with a sense of belonging, exposing them to hate speech, cyber bullying, and extremist ideologies, and isolating them from the real world. Even seemingly safe elite educational institutions promote non-Biblical worldviews, values and beliefs through biases in the way they teach history or social issues, and create a campus culture hostile to a gospel lifestyle and intolerant of free speech. Sadly, some immature and unhealthy believers try to reach young people not purely, to lead them to Christ, but for personal gain and self-promotion. It’s why we all need to be changed by the compassion of Jesus, to lead our young people to Jesus, our Good Shepherd and Spiritual King, and to his spiritual kingdom, not ours. It’s why we need to fight spiritually and get fully engaged in healthy, Christ-like discipleship ministry. And it needs to start in all our homes, so that the Holy Spirit can really work in and among us to raise shepherds and spiritual leaders for the world.

Can we “see” the millions of young people in our nation and all the dangers they’re facing? Do we care about what they’re going through or their future? Let’s ask Jesus to open our eyes and our hearts to all the young people in our high schools and colleges who are “like sheep without a shepherd.” Honestly, sometimes they’re hard to embrace. But our Lord Jesus isn’t negative; he has great compassion for them. Even if we can’t do much, he wants us not to be indifferent, but to care and to pray. Whether they’re our fellow students or we’re far removed from campus, whether we’re born in this country or from another place, Jesus wants us to learn his compassion for all American teenagers and college students who really are like sheep without a shepherd. Let’s start by showing his compassion for our own spouse and children, for our own siblings, roommates and coworkers. From there, let’s also broaden it out for all the others we don’t know. Learning the compassion of Jesus for people will change us, our families, our schools, campuses and workplaces, and our church.

Read verses 37–38. In light of the great need before him, Jesus not only has compassion but also asks his disciples to join him in looking up to God and praying. It shows his humble reliance on God and his simple faith in God, even as he faces overwhelming needs around him. He wasn’t discouraged by the criticisms or by the lack of shepherds. He believes that raising and sending out compassionate shepherds can certainly be done by the living God. He’s still urging us, most of all, to ask God to raise compassionate shepherds like him.

So, how do you view people? Are you negative, positive, or indifferent? Or do you actually care? Let’s read verse 36 again. May God fill our hearts with the compassion of Jesus to see all the people around us, especially the young people of these times, like sheep without a shepherd.

^[1] Num.27:17b; cf. 1 Kings 22:17; 2 Chron.18:16; Eze.34:8.

(QUESTIONS)

John 21:1-25 (Go to the ESV Bible verses)

Key Verse: 21:15, ^“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

1. How is this event introduced (1–3)? How does Jesus help his disciples, and what happens (4–6)? How do they respond (7–8)? On land, what do they see, and what does Jesus say (9–10)? How is their catch described (11)? Describe this meal (12–14); what is Jesus “revealing” to them here (1 John 4:19)?

2. After breakfast, what dialogue do Jesus and Simon Peter have (15–17)? Why does Jesus ask this three times, and why is Peter “grieved”? How does feeding and tending lambs/sheep illustrate caring for people? Why does Jesus repeat that they are “mine”?

3. Read verse 15 again. To feed and tend his lambs, what relationship with Jesus do we need, and how can we have such a relationship? Why is it important to feed his lambs out of love for Jesus?

4. What does Jesus tell Peter and why (18–19)? What does Peter see and say, and why (20–21)? How does Jesus answer him (22)? What can we learn here about following Jesus? How did the brothers misunderstand Jesus’ words (23)? How does the chapter end (24–25)? In light of this, what should we do?

(MESSAGE)

Key Verse: 21:15, “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’”

Have you ever felt inadequate? Like you’ll never be good enough, never measure up? We try to overcome such feelings by over-compensating. We tell ourselves, “You’ve got this!” We pump ourselves up to think we can do it all, even something really great. On a rare occasion, with our abilities we might make it. But most of the time we fall short. For the few people who seem to never fail, they’re sure they’re better than everyone else. And that’s a problem, too. In this study, our first of four lessons on shepherding, we can learn how the Risen Jesus makes Simon Peter a shepherd of people. It shows us that anyone, from the over-confident to the totally broken, can become a shepherd. Why? It’s because of Jesus’ love for us. His love is the starting point, the foundation, of living as a shepherd for others. May God speak to each one of us through his word.

Look at verse 1. Jesus reveals himself again to his disciples. Later John says it’s the third time (14). The first time was on the very day he rose from the dead. Then, a week later he appeared, to help Thomas see and believe. Here he reveals himself again. But it’s not in Jerusalem; now the disciples are back in Galilee, by the Sea of Tiberias. In the other Gospels Jesus told them he would meet them in Galilee.^[1] But so far in John, Jesus has revealed himself only in Jerusalem, and it was to clear up any doubt about him being risen. Now, by the Sea of Tiberias in Galilee, his revealing himself has a different objective. Look at verse 2. If we do the counting, it’s seven men here, not eleven. Judas Iscariot is gone, and we don’t know where the other four are. But these seven are together. Simon Peter is mentioned first. Look at verse 3. Simon Peter tells them his plan, and they all naturally follow. They go out and get into the boat, but that night they catch nothing. At the beginning of his life with Jesus, Simon Peter had a similar experience (Luke 5:1–11). Now it seems to be happening again.

Look at verse 4. Just as day is breaking, Jesus is standing on the shore. According to verse 8, the disciples are about a hundred yards, a whole football field’s length, away. In the early morning light, and at such a distance, they can’t tell it’s Jesus. Look at verse 5. “Jesus said to them, ‘Children, do you have any fish?’ They answered him, ‘No.’” They can’t even recognize his voice. After all-night fishing they’re empty-handed and discouraged. Look at verse 6a. “He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’” They don’t know who it is who’s telling them to do this. Maybe they think this man has just seen a school of fish in the shallow water coming their way. What do they do? Look at verse 6b. “So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.” What a surprise! Yet, this is so familiar.

What happens? Look at verse 7a. “That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’” John is the first to recognize Jesus, and he’s so happy to see him again. What does Peter do? Look at verse 7b. He puts on his outer garment, because he’s been stripped for his fishing work, and throws himself into the sea. No doubt he’s swimming vigorously to get to Jesus first, even before the boat. Peter, as usual, is impulsive, passionate, and wants to show Jesus how much he honors him, even by swimming fully clothed. The other disciples follow him in the boat, dragging the net full of fish (8). They must be tired and hungry. Look at verse 9. This hot breakfast has been prepared by none other than the Risen Jesus himself. He says to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught” (10). What happens? Look at verse 11. Peter doesn’t bring just some of the fish, but all of them. He hauls the entire net ashore all by himself. And the untorn net is part of the miraculous work of Jesus.

Read verse 12a. Except for John, these men all fled when Jesus was arrested. But here Jesus comes to see them again. He shows up when they fail at fishing, helps them get this great catch, and he’s even prepared breakfast for them! “Now none of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord” (12b). In that silence, what does Jesus do? Look at verse 13. He’s still their “bread of life” who provides for all their needs (6:35). He not only cooks but personally serves them. In this way Jesus “revealed himself” to his disciples (1,14). So, what is he revealing? It’s his love. His love for them is faithful. As he loved them when he first called them, his love didn’t change. His love takes the initiative. His love is humble. With kindness and affection he calls them “children,” or “little ones.” His love restores their failure. His love serves them a delicious meal. After all he’s been through, he loves them still. They failed, but he loves them to the end. In his love, anyone can have a relationship with him. In his love, anyone has hope. It all begins and ends with his love. It’s his point with disciples: to reveal himself to them in his love. When we experience the love of Jesus, it becomes our new spiritual foundation. It’s a great comfort to those who feel hopeless due to their weak human foundation. We all can be his disciples if we hold onto his love. And we all can make disciples if we learn to practice his love.

After serving the group, Jesus once again focuses on one person. Look at verse 15. It’s Simon Peter. It seems Jesus has come especially for him. Just before Jesus was arrested, Simon Peter promised to lay down his life for him. But Jesus predicted he would deny him three times. As Jesus was arrested, Peter tried to cut off someone’s ear. It was the wrong battle, the wrong direction. Then, while Jesus was on trial, people asked Peter if he was one of his disciples. And, he denied it three times. With his human zeal and love he failed. It humbled him and shattered his self-confidence. Now, though Peter has seen the Risen Jesus and heard him sending them into the world, he still carries the guilt that he denied him three times. So in love Jesus begins to help him solve this problem.

Read verse 15. Here, “Do you love me more than these?” means “more than the other disciples.” Peter used to think he was better than the others. So Jesus gently reminds him of his failure, yet also restores him by helping him confess his love for him. Peter says, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” It’s much more humble than “I will lay down my life for you.” Now Peter is trusting in what Jesus knows. When he confesses he loves him, Jesus begins helping him have a love expressed in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18). He tells him, “Feed my lambs.” It’s a model for how we all should love him. Lambs, as newborn sheep, are vulnerable and can hardly stand on their own. They have an intense cuteness that can make other creatures want to care for them. Human beings, young and old, can be like lambs: cute, but weak and vulnerable. Jesus calls them “my” lambs; they belong to him. He means human beings generally, but especially those in a Christian community, including new believers. As lambs need careful protection and nutrition, humans need protection and feeding, both physically and spiritually. Jesus himself fed his disciples the words that the Father gave him (17:8). We, too, need to feed people not just food, but the sound doctrine of God’s word. God’s word is like pure spiritual milk that helps us grow up into salvation (1 Pet.1:23–2:2). If we love Jesus, we will feed his lambs.

Look at verse 16. Jesus omits the phrase “more than these” and switches the word “feed” to “tend.” To “tend” means “to shepherd,” which is all the other work besides feeding: guiding, leading and protecting. We can’t just leave people to figure it out on their own. Those who belong to Jesus need to be guided, led and protected. Those who’ve come to know his love can begin doing this work.

Look at verse 17. A third time Jesus asks, “Do you love me?” He’s using a word for “love” that says, “Are you even my friend?”^[2] Now Peter is “grieved.” Obviously Jesus is referring to his three denials. But he’s not trying to insult him; he’s helping him see himself for who he really is. Peter has not really loved Jesus; he’s loved himself. When he should have followed him, he saved himself. During Jesus’ sufferings he was not a real friend. Jesus is also helping him see what real love for him is. Love for Jesus is not emotional or human love. In our sinfulness, none of us has the capacity to love Jesus; really we’re loving ourselves or the world. Real love for Jesus is born as we experience his love for us. John writes elsewhere, “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). At this breakfast Peter has just experienced Jesus’ love. Now, with these probing questions, he tastes the godly grieving that leads to repentance (2 Cor.7:10a).

Jesus asks, “Do you love me?” Then he says, “Feed my lambs.” It’s what he’s already been teaching: if we love him, we will obey his commands.^[3] But love as obedience sounds like a duty, not authentic, right? So Jesus explained earlier, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept the Father’s commandments and abide in his love” (15:9–10). By keeping his command to feed his lambs, we abide in his love. In this context, “abide” means “receiving and giving” love. It’s how Jesus himself relates to the Father, and how he invites us to relate to him. In contrast, just trying to take love from Jesus is like abusing drugs. It’s a temporary “fix,” to feel better for a while. Jesus wants every believer to love him back. And he asks us to express our love for him practically by feeding his lambs. The reality is, nobody “feels like” doing this. If we’re waiting to feel like it, we’ll never do it. But as we act on his command and actually start feeding his lambs, we begin abiding in his love. As we keep doing this in loving obedience to Jesus, his love stays alive in us. We understand and appreciate his love more deeply. We even gain the capacity to love as he loves. We start learning his love that’s so faithful, that takes the initiative, his love that’s so humble, so kind and affectionate, his love that’s ready to restore others, his love so willing to serve. It’s not mechanical; it’s the only authentic love there is. Loving Jesus begins with knowing his great love for us, then obeying his command to feed his lambs. We all need to get started, with even one small, practical act of obedience to him.

Jesus’ conversation with Peter highlights his goal in calling and investing in disciples. It was to help them become shepherds. Earlier he gave his parable of the good shepherd and his sheep. Only Jesus is the good shepherd, because only he laid down his life for the sheep (10:11). He’s “the great shepherd of the sheep,” “the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (Heb.13:20; 1 Pet.2:25). But he wants Peter, and all disciples, to become shepherds, not hired hands. It’s why he invited them to come learn from him. Feeding and shepherding people is not easy. We have so many weaknesses, mistakes and sins. We so easily go astray and get lost. Like sheep, we can’t even remember the way! It can be exhausting. But in the great love of Jesus, feeding his lambs is not burdensome (1 John 5:3). In his love, Jesus has hope, for Peter and for us, to grow as shepherds like him.

Look at verses 18–19. Here Jesus predicts that Peter will indeed become a good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep, as he himself did. Peter’s not feeling too good about this. Look at verses 20–21. Peter sees John and asks Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” He doesn’t want to suffer and die like Jesus all by himself. Read verse 22. Like Peter, we can’t compare ourselves to others; we’ve got to listen to Jesus personally, “You follow me!”

So, do we feel like we’ve failed in Christian life? Or, are we over-confident? In Jesus, anyone can grow as a shepherd. Read verse 15 again. May God restore us in the great love of Jesus and help us love him back by obeying his words, “Feed my lambs.”

^[1] Matt.26:32; 28:7,10; Mark 14:28; 16:7.

^[2] In verses 15–16 Jesus uses the word agapeo; here he switches to phileo, which means “friendly love.”

^[3] E.g. 14:15,21; 1 John 5:2.

SHEPHERDING SERIES OVERVIEW

(Chicago UBF, April 27–May 18, 2025)

It’s a wonderful truth that Jesus is our Good Shepherd (John 10:11). No one else could ever love us the way he does. His love is such that though he was the eternal Word, he became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1–2,14). He gave his life and shed his blood to save us from our sins, and rose again to save us from the power of death. When we come to him, we’re saved and find pasture, and no one can snatch us out of his hand (John 10:9,28–29). One day he will come again and take us to himself, to be with him forever in the Father’s house (John 14:2–3). Knowing him as our Good Shepherd gives us true rest, restores our souls, and guides us in the paths of living a righteous life for his name’s sake (Psalm 23:1–3).

The Bible urges church leaders to be shepherds (e.g. 1 Pet.5:1–4). But the love of our Good Shepherd Jesus helps every believer also learn how to show his love to one another: at church, in our families, at work, and to each human being we encounter every day wherever we are. To grow in the image of Jesus the Good Shepherd is part of the sanctification for all those who are in Christ. John’s Gospel highlights how growing as shepherds was Jesus’ program for his disciples (see chapters 10 and 21). Living in the real world, we all have to work hard. Sometimes we’re burdened by life’s problems, needs and demands. But our Lord Jesus invites us all to come to him to find rest, to take his yoke as a shepherd and learn from his gentle and lowly heart. When we do, we find that this life of following him, learning his shepherd’s heart for our fellow flawed and fallen human beings, is not heavy but light (Matt.11:28–30)

In this Shepherding Series we’ll look at four passages: John 21, Matthew 9:35–38, Ezekiel 34, and 1 Peter 5:1–4. Each lesson sheds light on some aspect of the life of a shepherd:

• John 21 shows that a shepherd’s life starts with knowing the love of our Lord Jesus, and learning to love him back by feeding his lambs.

• Matthew 9:35–38 shows us the great need in the real world for compassionate shepherds, how to see people as Jesus does, and how to pray for this.

• Ezekiel 34 illustrates the practical work God expects from shepherds, and the hope that Jesus our Good Shepherd has come to fulfill God’s vision and enable us to grow to do his work.

• 1 Peter 5:1–4 describes the work, the motivations, and the example of real shepherds, and the key to it all: living with the hope of our Chief Shepherd’s appearing.

As we study these Bible passages, may God open our hearts and draw us closer to our Lord Jesus. And may he help us refocus on learning how to do this crucial work of shepherding that he asks us all to pray for and participate in.

(QUESTIONS)

John 20:1-31 (Go to the ESV Bible verses)

Key Verse: 20:28, ^“Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

1.  What does Mary discover, what does she do, and why (1–2)? How are Peter and the other disciple contrasted (3–7)? What do the linen cloths and face cloth suggest? What happens to the other disciple (8)? What is the author’s comment, and why (9)?

2.  How are the disciples and Mary contrasted (10–11a)? What does Mary see (11b–12)? What does verse 13 tell us? What happens (14)? What do Jesus’ words to her mean (15a)? What does she suppose, and what does she offer (15b)? What does this tell us?

3.  How does Jesus reveal himself to her, and how is her understanding of him still limited (16)? Why does Jesus tell her not to cling to him, and what should she do instead (17a)? What is his message to his “brothers,” and how does this summarize the gospel (17b)? What does Mary do and say, and how has she changed (18)?

4.  How are the disciples described (19a)? What does Jesus say and do (19b–20a)? How does this change them (20b)? What does he repeat, and why (21a)? How does he commission them, and what does this mean (21b)? How does he equip them (22)? What does he say about forgiveness, and why (23)?

5.  What is Thomas’ initial response, and why (24–25)? How does Jesus help him (26–27)? What does Thomas confess (28)? What does Jesus say, and what does this mean to us (29)? For what purpose did the author write this Gospel (30–31)? What does it mean to “believe” these things and “have life”?

(MESSAGE)

Key Verse: 20:28, “Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’”

Who are you closest to? Mom? Dad? Your spouse, or children? A friend? It’s nice to be close to at least someone. But something may happen that reveals we’re not as close as we thought. We think if we share the same culture, history, traditions, or even the same house or bed, we’re close, right? But are we? Today we celebrate Easter. It’s all about our Lord Jesus, risen from the dead. He brings us out from under the power of death, from meaninglessness, fear, and sorrow, and gives us courage, faith, joy, and a new direction. But the message of John 20 is even deeper. The Risen Jesus draws us closer to God himself. It’s an intimacy we might never imagine we

Next, in verses 3–10 John tells the story of these two eyewitnesses, to confirm that the facts they saw were real. Look at verse 3. Peter and John go to the tomb together. During Jesus’ trial, they’d been together out in the courtyard. But Peter had denied Jesus three times and was not at his cross with John. Now these two are together again. It seems John is with Peter to support him, even though he knows his failure. John is trying to practice Jesus’ command, “Love one another.” Look at verse 4. Why is this detail here? John is a faster runner, and competitive, but getting there first might also show that John has a little more love for Jesus. The author is developing this theme for all disciples: those who feel loved by Jesus the most will end up loving him the most. Look at verse 5. John stoops to look into the tomb and sees only the linen cloths the body had been wrapped in. He does not go in, perhaps out of respect for Jesus, or for Simon Peter. True to form, Simon Peter boldly goes right in (6). Look at verse 7. He finds more evidence: the face cloth that had been on Jesus’ head. And strangely, it’s not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. This is more eyewitness evidence. Graverobbers would never do this; it looks like he rose and took off the face cloth and other cloths himself. Look at verse 8. Now John goes in, sees and believes. Believes what? He believes that Jesus is risen. But read verse 9. Like Peter, John doesn’t understand what the resurrection of Jesus means based on Scripture, how it’s part of God’s plan. He just believes the miracle that it happened. John includes this comment to encourage us to believe based not only on miraculous facts but also on God’s words. Look at verse 10. Peter and John go back to their homes. For now, their search stops here.

So the author zeroes in on Mary Magdalene (11–18). It’s a unique event in the Bible, an entire eight verses. Look at verse 11a. Mary followed Peter and John back to the tomb, and now, as they leave, saying nothing to her, she stays outside his tomb, weeping. But these are not silent tears; in Greek the word “weeping” means “noisy wailing” (Louw-Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the NT). Why is she crying so loudly? No one is there to hear. But she just loves him this much. The other Gospels mentioned her. Jesus healed Mary Magdalene of seven demons (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2) and allowed her to join the other women providing for him out of their own means (Luke 8:3). Mary followed, served and witnessed all he did and said. In all the Gospels she’s at the cross and at the tomb. But now, after Peter and John go home, she’s here, alone, crying outside his tomb, not because her faithfulness is so great, but because she’s experienced his grace so profoundly. Yes, Mary Magdalene is grieving under the power of death, like those at the death of Lazarus. But she’s also grieving because of how horribly her Lord Jesus has been treated and killed. Due to her past, some probably despise her. Some see her as just an emotional woman. But out of all of his followers the Risen Jesus visits her first. His grace has already inspired so much love in her (Luke 7:47); now he gives her “grace upon grace” (John 1:16), the grace of drawing even closer to God through him.

Unlike Peter and John, Mary has not been inside the tomb yet to see the evidence. Now she stoops in to look (11b). What does she see? Not linen cloths but two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet (12). His body has not been taken away by evil men; the Holy Father has been at work here. Where the slain body of Jesus has lain and risen is the new Most Holy Place. In him, sinners encounter the Holy God personally.

The angels say to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” (13a) They’re not rebuking her. They’re trying to help her see the reality of what’s happened. But she’s stuck thinking his body has been taken away, and that she has to do something about it (13b). Look at verse 14. Jesus is distinct from the angels; he’s behind her, so she has to turn to see him. He’s outside the tomb, not sitting, but standing, and very much alive. But Mary does not “know” or perceive who he is. He asks her the same question as the angels (15a). He’s gently trying to help her come out of her grief and dutiful thinking. But he adds another profound question: “Whom are you seeking?” He’s trying to help Mary know who he really is. Knowing who Jesus really is is the main focus of John’s Gospel.

Look at verse 15b. Without recognizing him, what she’s saying here is comical. She’s guessing the tomb owner didn’t want the body of Jesus there, and she’s willing to go get it and bury it someplace else. If this gardener would just show her, she’s ready to do it herself. She’s so devoted, and looking around the garden to see where his body might be. But it’s all misguided, because Jesus is right there in front of her. Like her, if we can’t see the presence of the Risen Jesus, we easily get wrapped up in the wrong concerns and pursuits. Look at verse 16a. Suddenly Jesus calls her by her name, “Mary.” He knows her deeply and personally (10:3–4). Though he’s suffered so much, died, risen, and now ascending, he comes in person just to visit her. Look at verse 16b. She turns and sees that he’s Jesus and says, “Teacher!” She still has a limited view of Jesus.

Look at verse 17a. “Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father…’” Mary has to let go of the physical presence of Jesus. He’s on his way to return to the Father. From now on, through the Holy Spirit his living presence will always be with her. Look at verse 17b. “..but go to my brothers…” not his human brothers but his disciples. In the big picture, our Risen Lord is making a woman, Mary Magdalene, the first witness of his resurrection. What does he want her to say? Read verse 17c. “…and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” It sounds simple, poetic, and like really good news for Jesus. But what does it have to do with us? Jesus applies it to us personally by saying, “my Father and your Father,” and “my God and your God.” For John, this is the heart of the gospel.

Just before his death, Jesus told his disciples, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (14:6). He added, “I am going to the Father.” He wasn’t talking about a roadmap or a process, but about himself. Now, after death and resurrection, Jesus is ascending to the Father. He’s being glorified as the Living One, the Lamb of God, our King, our Risen Lord, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. As he returns to the Father’s side, he will be fully glorified as he sends our Helper, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father (15:26; cf. 7:39). The Holy Spirit will convict us of sin (16:8). The Holy Spirit will help us see the glory of Jesus (16:14).       The Holy Spirit will help us confess faith in Jesus as Lord (1 Cor.12:3). The Holy Spirit will make us “born of God” (1:12; 3:8b). The world neither sees nor knows him, but the Father sends the Spirit in Jesus’ name, to be with us forever and give us the peace of Jesus (14:16–17,26–27). The substance of this peace is this: in Jesus, I now know God as “my” Father and “my” God. It’s intimate knowledge of the only true God and his Son Jesus Christ, whom he has sent, which is eternal life (17:3). This close personal relationship with God my Father and his Son Jesus through the Holy Spirit is the essence of spiritual life. To “know” God (1:18; 14:20) is to be so close to him. Though we were once far away in our sin, Jesus, through the Spirit, draws us close, with direct access to our Father God (Eph.2:18). Through faith in Jesus we now have boldness and access to God with confidence (Eph.3:12).

Read verse 17c again. In our Risen Lord, we come to know God as “my” Father and “my” God. He’s not just my parents’ God or my shepherd’s God, but “my” God. For God to truly be “my Father and my God” I have to know him personally and love him more than anyone else. In his high priestly prayer Jesus calls this having the Father’s “name” (17:6,26). It means knowing the Father just as Jesus knows him. It means knowing the Father’s love for Jesus, and Jesus’ love for the Father. Through Jesus, we’re invited into this fellowship that unites God the Father and God the Son. Jesus says we even share the same glory the Father has given him (17:22). As Jesus reflects the Father’s glory, we too begin to reflect God’s character, and the oneness Jesus has with the Father. We grow in his love for the Father, his trust in the Father, and his obedience to the Father. The qualities of this relationship with our Father God are what give those who believe in Jesus such strong spiritual unity. They fill us with godly love for one another. As we share this fellowship with the Father, with his Son Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3b), and with one another, we reveal his glory and make his name known in the world. Mary herself is drawn into this closer relationship. Read verse 18. After meeting the Risen Jesus, her eyes have been opened. She has peace, freedom, and a new direction. By faith she gives Jesus’ words to his disciples.

Next, the author tells briefly how Jesus commissions his disciples (19–23). It’s the evening of the same day. The disciples are together with the doors locked, for fear of the Jews. Jesus comes, stands among them and says, “Peace be with you.” He shows them his hands and his side, to prove it’s really him. They’re glad when they realize it’s Jesus. Then he says again, “Peace be with you.” Meeting our Risen Lord Jesus gives us peace in our souls. He adds, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” In John’s Gospel, Jesus says 38 times that the Father sent him. Now, though his disciples are locked in a room in fear, Jesus is sending them into the world. He’s already prayed for it: “As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world” (17:18). Now, by faith, he’s doing it. As a preview of the coming of the Holy Spirit later, he breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (22). It tells us that despite all our weaknesses and sins, if we believe in Jesus and depend on the Holy Spirit, even we can do the works Jesus did (14:12). Jesus gives these men his authority to bring people the forgiveness of sins in his name (23; cf. Luke 24:47; Acts 10:43).

And the Risen Jesus meets one more disciple (24–29). It seems almost unnecessary. But it highlights several important themes in John’s Gospel: Jesus is so personal, and such a good shepherd for each person; believing is so important; and most of all is Thomas’ confession, which is like the practical application of Jesus’ message to his disciples (17c). Read verse 24. We don’t know why Thomas wasn’t there. But we’ve seen him before in John’s Gospel. When Jesus was determined to go back to Judea to see Lazarus, Thomas said, “Let us also go, that we may die with him” (11:16). He was loyal and courageous, though a little pessimistic. When Jesus said, “And you know the way to where I am going,” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (14:4–5) He was inquisitive and wanted to understand, but a bit snarky. Now we see another side of him. Read verse 25. Why is Thomas so skeptical and demanding? First of all, he wasn’t there when Jesus appeared and showed them his hands and side. After the trauma and disappointment of the crucifixion, Thomas has become guarded and unwilling to believe. He’s a practical man who wants to see tangible evidence before believing in a bodily resurrection. He’s like an analyst who wants concrete proof before accepting anyone’s claim. To the others, he’s being a stick-in-the-mud.

Read verse 26. Jesus makes this appearance just for Thomas. Read verse 27. Jesus shows him not just the evidence he’s demanding, but how much he loves him. Jesus is so humble, so full of grace. In telling him not to disbelieve, but to believe, he’s also full of truth. How does Thomas respond? Read verse 28. His confession is his deep repentance. It’s also the climax of John’s Gospel. Jesus who came in the flesh and dwelt among us, who suffered, died and rose again to save us from our sins, who has the wounds to prove it and who loved us to the end, really is our personal Lord and our God. Thomas shows us the ultimate end of getting close to the Risen Jesus. What is it? It’s worship. Telling others, being sent into the world, being filled with the Spirit, proclaiming forgiveness––it leads us all to worship Jesus as “my Lord and my God.” How does Jesus respond to his confession? Read verse 29. Jesus makes Thomas an example for all those yet to believe in him. Being a Christian is not about being one of Jesus’ cronies; it’s open to anyone willing to believe the evidence and testimony of those who saw the Risen Jesus, without demanding to see it themselves. Jesus says those who believe without seeing are even more blessed than his original disciples.

Read verse 28 again. May God help us repent of our doubt and draw us close to the Risen Jesus, to believe and have abundant life in his name (30–31).