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Tuesday, November 15, 2016

A short devotional on Jesus: Shepherd and Guardian of souls

Image result for shepherd's crook
1 Peter 2:21-25 "For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls."

Introduction:
Today's post is a brief devotional on Jesus Christ as the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls. What kind of Shepherd is He in these verses written by the Apostle Peter under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit? Consider with me the following thoughts...

1. Supreme example. 1 Peter 2:21
"For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps."

2. Sinless life. 1 Peter 2:22-23
"who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously"

3. Saving substitute. 1 Peter 2:24
"and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed."

4. Sovereign security. 1 Peter 2:25
"For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls."

Closing thoughts:
As you reflect on the above four thoughts, call them to memory throughout your day and thank the Lord Jesus. If you have never trusted in Him for what He did as your supreme example, sinless life, saving substitute and sovereign security; you can do that today. Romans 10:9-10 tells you how you can begin knowing this Jesus as your Savior and Lord - "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."