One On One: 100 Days With Jesus--Ministry YearsSample

Shepherd, part 2: The One who lays down his life   

The night the spirits told us shepherds where to find the Messiah has stayed with me for 30 years. Like a dog herding a flock, it’s nipped at my heels. I never can forget it. 

Ever since, I have kept an ear alive to talk of Messiah in Jerusalem. Plenty of imposters come and go; nobody survives the scrutiny. With each passing year and no word of Messiah, the memory of that night stings with my disbelief.

It was Matthias, my grandson, who told me about the Rabbi of Nazareth. Nazareth?—well, that can’t be Him, I thought. 

“He’s doing miracles, Sabba. Isn’t it written that the Messiah you saw will do miracles? Can we go to Jerusalem? Can we see Him?”

Yes, I was 12 once, too. Sure, we can go to Jerusalem. I have business there, I told my wife. It would be worth the trip to see a miracle-working rabbi.

And so, after our five-mile walk from Bethlehem, Matthias and I arrived and like good Jews, we went first to the Temple. Right away we felt something stirring. The Pharisees were grilling a rabbi, and he was firing right back. It’s Jesus of Nazareth, we heard whispered. 

“I am the good shepherd,” He said. “I know my own and my own know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.” 

“Sabba, is he a shepherd like us?” Matthias hung close. 

“Apparently so.” And with that we watched the insulted Pharisees throw up their hands and storm off. 

Then, the oddest thing happened. The Rabbi from Nazareth turned His head in our direction and . . . and He looked at me. Over the dozens of heads packed between us, His eyes grabbed mine and He smiled like He knew me. He cut through the crowd to get to us. 

How are things in Bethlehem? He asked.   How did You know that’s our home, rabbi? 

It’s always been your home, hasn’t it, David? And before you, it was your father’s home, may He rest in peace. Good to meet you, Matthias. Matthias couldn’t say a word and my tongue was none looser. 

“You heard me say, I am the Good Shepherd, yes? You, too, are a good shepherd, David. Don’t despise your calling. Die to your restlessness and from now on, follow My voice. Let me lead you in the straight path and to the pastures. Let Me restore your soul.” 

He looked at me directly, reading my thoughts. And perhaps because He saw my mustard seed faith, He smiled again and nodded as if to say, “Yes, you were with me the night of my birth; you heard the angel’s announcement. You are right to believe I am your Messiah.”

In that moment, my years of cynicism melted away. Yes, it was Him! Somehow I recognized His voice. The Psalter swelled in my soul, “Adonai is my shepherd; I have everything I need.

He talked with us a little longer and turned to go. Then a shadow fell over His smile as He said shalom. 

“You of all people know, David, that a good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. We stand here in the temple knowing that no sheep ever offers anything of value to God in this holy place other than its life. Remember that.”  

Tomorrow: One on one with Jesus and His disciples on retreat