Our Good Shepherd

“And Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord are not as sheep which have no shepherd.” – Numbers 27:15-17

Moses spoke this prayer before he died. He had been an exceptional leader, but he represented the Law of God. The Law cannot bring us into the Promised Land of salvation, nor was it ever intended to. The Law of God exposes and condemns sin, in order to point us to Christ for salvation. God answered Moses’ prayer and raised up Joshua, whose name in Greek is Jesus, to be their shepherd, and bring them into the Promised Land. The picture is clear.

At the Cross, the Law’s claim over us as sinners (death penalty) was fulfilled by Christ dying in our place. Then He arose as our “Joshua” to bring us into Everlasting Life. At Christ’s resurrection… “He (the Father) set Him (Christ) at His own right hand in the Heavenlies, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but in that which is to come” (Ephesians 1:20,21). The God of the “spirits of all flesh” had indeed “set a Man” over the whole world, who alone is worthy to lead us into the Promised Land.

Jesus “went out before us” when He left this world. He “went in before us” to Heaven’s courts, announcing our forgiveness and arrival before we get there. He’s returning to “lead us out” of this world, to “bring us in” to the everlasting joys He promised to those who love Him.

While our national leaders serve their own interests, neglecting, and even despising the flocks they were appointed to guard, we are not “sheep without a Shepherd.” We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. His eyes are upon us, individually and collectively, and He’s preparing to lead us out. Are you ready to go in?

Maranatha