Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalms 23:4 NKJV
The staff, a simple tool of the shepherd, is a comfort.
Shepherds are no longer common in our culture.
Yet, they still exist, and although each culture handles things uniquely, even now a staff is a useful tool.
Anyone who has raised sheep can explain how each one needs to be guided and often they tend to go their own way.
The staff is an extension of the shepherd and is used to direct, guide, and at times keep the sheep from heading the wrong way.
Scripture tells of a Good Shepherd, one who cares for the sheep.
Psalm 80:1 NKJV — To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Lilies.” A Testimony of Asaph. A Psalm. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth! (Emphasis added)
Isaiah 40:11 NKJV — He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. (Emphasis added)
Micah 7:14 NKJV — Shepherd Your people with Your staff, The flock of Your heritage, Who dwell solitarily in a woodland, In the midst of Carmel; Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, As in days of old. (Emphasis added)
Jesus said:
John 10:11 NKJV — “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”
Not only did He sacrifice Himself for each and every one of us, He leads us down the paths of righteousness.
Today’s addition to the Nativity is a shepherd.
Another beautiful picture of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for each one of us.
The shepherd’s staff is a comfort to those who follow Jesus.
We have God’s Holy Word to guide and direct us.
We have Jesus to lead us.
We are not left alone, scattered and in danger of predictors.
John 10:10 NKJV — “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
As we look on our Nativity and remember our Good Shepherd, let us rejoice!
Our lives belong to Jesus.
When we submit our lives to Him, He becomes King.
With His Kingship, He guides and directs us, He comforts and provides for us.
“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 NKJV
patientlyhopeful 