THE LOVE OF MY SHEPHERD,

WHO CROWNS THE FAITHFUL

We all are familiar with the 23^rd Psalm and our Shepherd’s tender care.  Our Shepherd brings comfort in times of sorrow and grief, and I know many of you have shed many tears in the last weeks.  God’s Word has much to say about sheep, shepherds and about our Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ.  We have all seen the pictures of Jesus holding the little lamb, or Him leading the sheep. But I want to look at other aspects today of our Wonderful Shepherd.

Are you a wondering sheep today? He welcomes the wanderer!  Our Great Shepherd will welcome you home with open arms.  Remember the story in Luke 15:3-7, where Jesus, Himself, tells the story of the lost sheep.  “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”

Think of that, my friend, our Shepherd, with His great love for you will go out and find you and draw you back into the fold.  He loves you so much.  And then think of the rejoicing in Heaven when you return to the fold.  “For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” I Peter 2:25.

And then our Shepherd crowns the faithful.  If you are faithful in your walk with the Lord, living for Him and serving Him, you will rewarded by the Lord, Himself, for your love to Him.  The Bible lists five rewards or crowns.

The first one is the incorruptible crown.  This crown will be rewarded to all those who are separated from the world and living unto Christ.  I Corinthians 9:25: “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” Paul was referring to the Greek games of his day and those who participated were rewarded a crown or garland on their heads.  But, we, as Believers, when we run our race, serving the Lord faithfully, we will be rewarded a crown that last forever.

Then there is the crown of glory. This crown will be rewarded to the Pastor, or to the teacher who has been faithful. “and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.  Think of that, you Pastors out there, who have served your flocks, and you teachers of His Word, your work has not been in vain, even though sometimes you were discouraged in the work, God saw your faithfulness and you will be rewarded.

“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ when He comes?  Is it not you? ( I Thessalonians 2:19)  This crown is for the soul winner.  Your godly life, your righteous life has been and witness; and people have looked at it and found Christ through you.  You have been out there telling others about Jesus, telling them about the cross and how Jesus died for them and leading them into the Kingdom. 

Then there is the crown of righteousness.  Do you long for His coming?   Then this crown will be rewarded to you.  2 Timothy 4:8: “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.”

Then there is one final crown found in Revelation 2:10: “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.  I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days.  Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”  This is the crown of life, the Martyr’s crown.  We all know stories of the martyrs down through the ages and years.  And even today, in parts of our world, men and women are giving their lives to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

One final blessing is found in Hebrews 13:20, to all my friends out there, as we serve Him faithfully, winning souls, and looking for His Glorious Appearing: “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever, Amen.”

Blessings,

Pastor Sharon Besler