As Christians, our greatest need is to be aware of how much we need Jesus everyday.
3:1 My child, do not forget [Me or] my teaching, but keep [Me and] My commands in your heart,
God the Father has given us the gift of Choice. He wants us to choose to join Him in a personal relationship with the Trinity through the Son. But, there is a spiritual truth that we need to understand. That truth is:
He wants us. We need Him.
We were not designed to work independently from God the Holy Spirit. Since the day Adam and Eve left the Garden, God the Father has been in pursuit of us (Luke 15:3-7). His pursuit became intense with God the Son’s incarnation, life and ministry, death and resurrection, and the sending of God the Spirit to infuse and empower our lives with the Trinity*. The Gospel is now reaching to the ends of the earth as He continues His search for every lost sheep!
Our constant dependence upon the in-dwelling Spirit (and Trinity) is foundational for Christians. Without Jesus as our Shepherd, we do not have life because Jesus is life (John 11:25-26 and 14:6). We must be willing to follow His lead:
- At home,
- At work,
- In relationships (friends, spouses, family),
- When with others,
- And when alone (this one’s called having integrity).
Jesus is not asking us to do something that He Himself was not willing to do. In fact, since we know that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), we know that Jesus is the ultimate and eternal Servant-Leader. He wants to serve us today by leading us as our Good Shepherd. Consider these verses:
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:3-5
In the words of my pastor, who quotes E.V. Hill, “I know I will preach well today if my Helper shows up.” Don’t let the phraseology fool you. He’s not talking about the Spirit literally showing up–He’s already with and in him. He’s referring to him being in sync with the Spirit and allowing the Spirit to take charge. He’s the shepherd being led by the Chief Shepherd. Now, THAT’S a servant-leader!
Abba, I am so glad that You want us as Your friends because we need You as our Shepherd. Lead us, Good Shepherd; we will follow. Amen.
*Supporting verses for the in-dwelling of the Trinity:
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. John 14:23
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26
14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14
In the Master's Hands 