-
“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
-
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
-
All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
-
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
-
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
-
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’
-
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
-
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
-
and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
-
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
-
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.
-
The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
-
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
-
The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.
-
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—
-
I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
-
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
-
Benediction and Final Greetings
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
-
For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
-
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
-
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
-
These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead.
-
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”
