Our path through the desert is strewed with countless mercies; and yet, let but a cloud the size of a man’s hand appear on the horizon, and we at once forget the rich mercies of the past in view of this single cloud, which, after all, may only “break in blessing on our head.”
The Good, Great, and Chief Shepherd.
As the good Shepherd, the blessed Lord died for His sheep. “I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.... As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.... I give unto My sheep eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.” (John 10.)
As the great Shepherd He rises from the dead to watch over with tender care, and to fold in His everlasting embrace, the flock for which He died. “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Heb. 13.) As the chief Shepherd He will gather around Himself on the bright and sunny fields of eternal glory, all His under shepherds, and place upon their heads a crown of glory as the answer of His love for their care of His sheep and lambs. “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” (1 Peter 5.)