Fact 1: We are sheep going astray. Fact 2: Jesus is Shepherd and Bishop of our soul. Fact 3: Have you returned to the Shepherd and Bishop? Do you need to?
I Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
This is who Jesus is and what he does. He’s the “taker-carer” of our souls. Because we’re sheep we have or will go astray. Regardless of the opinion we have of ourselves, we are sheep—lost, straying, wandering. You know how quickly you can get in the wrong way. We do get it wrong sometimes. Sheep don’t lead sheep. They need a shepherd. Jesus came as the Good Shepherd. He knows his sheep. They know him. He laid down his life for the sheep. We need shepherding. We need guidance and help. We need the rod at times. Sometimes we need the staff. At times we need salve to soothe our wounds. We need the watchful eye of the Shepherd 100% of the time. Without the Shepherd we’ll go astray before we know it. He’s the Shepherd and Bishop of our lives, but in order to take care of our lives we must allow him to be the Bishop and Shepherd of our soul.
Our troubles arise from the inside—our heart and soul. The direction we go begins in the heart. He shepherds first what needs it most—the inside of us within our heart and soul. The nature within us is to follow, and if we don’t follow Jesus we will follow something or someone else. Something is always after us. Every time we turn on the television we feel the calling to live like this or that. There is so much perversion, but people follow it. Fashions and styles mostly reflect sin because that’s the nature of sin. The blind cannot lead the blind. Follow the Shepherd you can trust, the One who loved us enough to give his life for us.
We think we know all, but we don’t. Our best confession is to admit that we don’t know it all and follow Jesus. We should turn our hearts and lives over to the Shepherd and Bishop of our soul. Many come to church but their heart is far away. You may be in good standing with man, but if your heart is not right with God, he knows you’ve strayed. Jesus is at the door of your soul knocking. He wants to bring your life back together.
He’s the only true Shepherd. Who is leading you? You can’t follow two shepherds at one time. If you want to be in the fold of God you must let Jesus rescue you and follow him. You can’t go two different ways at one time. Which direction are you going? Other shepherds are liars. Jesus came to give eternal life. He knows his job. He knew the cost, but he was willing to pay the price. He’s devoted to us. He cared so much he went all the way to the giving of his own life. Verses 22-23 state who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. See what a wonderful Shepherd he is!
He wants no harm to come to us. He wants to help. If the adversary wants to pull us down, Jesus can knock the devil back and rescue us. His wounds were created on the cross and will heal all the wounds we have. The Bible says in the book of Isaiah but he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He’s able to heal all the injuries the devil throws our way. He and he alone is Shepherd and Bishop of the soul.
Where are you in relation to Jesus? Lost? Straying? Confused? Lazy? Cold and indifferent? Wounded and hurt? Return to the Shepherd. He can heal it. We can all get a little bit closer. We need him. Don’t be like a dog on a leash and try to pull God along. Are you far away? Come home to the Shepherd and Bishop of your soul. We can all leave knowing we have returned and are closer than we have been. Determine not to go astray. Strive to be closer. Huddle under his arms.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 