~ A Biblical Trilogy – He Satisfies All Our Needs ~
Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd of Psalm 22, the Great Shepherd of Psalm 23, and the Chief Shepherd of Psalm 24.
The Good Shepherd (Psalm 22) ~ The Good Shepherd died to save us. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11, see verses 1-18.) Psalm 22 is a picture of God’s Prophet and our Suffering Savior. It is a past event!
Psalm 22 is also a Messianic psalm—a psalm with clear prophecies of Jesus Christ. It is The Psalm of the Cross.
The Great Shepherd (Psalm 23) ~ The Great Shepherd lives to guide 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). Psalm 23 is a picture of our Living Savior and Present Priest. This is current—now!
Psalm 23 is known as The Shepherd Psalm. Every angle of our needs are supplied by our Great Shepherd (note the Abundant Life Now blog on December 15, 2009).
The Chief Shepherd (Psalm 24) ~ The Chief Shepherd will come for us and we will be glorified at that time. “When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1 Peter 5:4). In that day He will truly be the Sovereign One and exalted King of Kings. This is still future!
Psalm 24 is one of the royal psalms. It is a Psalm of Praise to the King of glory.
These three psalms can be thought of in the following additional ways:
22 a Dying Savior ~ 23 a Living Shepherd ~ 24 a Coming Sovereign.
22 our Savior’s Cross ~ 23 our Shepherd’s Crook ~ 24 the Sovereign’s Crown.
22 a soldier’s Sword ~ 23 our Shepherd’s Staff ~ 24 our King’s Scepter.
22 gives His Life ~ 23 gives His Love ~ 24 gives His Light.
22 God’s Grace ~ 23 our Shepherd’s Guidance ~ 24 our King’s Glory.
22 God’s Provision ~ 23 our Protection ~ 24 our Prospect.
22 yesterday / past ~ 23 today / present ~ 24 forever / future.
SUGGESTED FOLLOW-UP: Read John 10:1-30.
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