The Good Shepherd - Part 2: Christmas in the Valley of the Shadow

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." (Psalm 23:5)

We live in the wild of the wilderness of this world. Yet, a table is prepared before us by the Shepherd of our souls.

How is this possible?

He makes us lie down in green pastures, by going through the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights and being tempted by the Devil. Later on the cross, He took on the full force of evil. He put Himself in the "presence of the enemy"—willingly putting Himself into the clutches of the cruelest evil. So that He could prepare a feast for us.

That feast is His body—it is the Good News of redemption (John 6:53).

How much does He love us?

The Good Shepherd will lay down His LIFE for His sheep (John 10:14).

This Christmas, we celebrate that God became "with us"—Emmanuel. He came in vulnerability, in flesh and bone, to be our Shepherd. He didn't distance Himself from our suffering. He entered into it, walked through it, and conquered it—all so that we could feast at His table.

And one day, the Shepherd (Songs 1:7-8) will be the bridegroom to the bride—the church. He will usher us in to the house He has built for us, and we will live forever with Him. The new creation will be a wedding banquet—a forever feasting on and delighting in the love we share.

Psalm 23:6 "Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

This Christmas, may we give ourselves afresh to the Good Shepherd who gave Himself for us.