Shepherd and Savior

Have you ever felt lost, weary, or overwhelmed by burdens too heavy to carry alone? Life’s valleys can feel long and dry, and at times, our souls thirst for hope, direction, and peace. But in the throne room of heaven, we are offered a powerful promise: “For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them; he will guide them to springs of the waters of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17, CSB). This isn’t a future-only hope—it’s a present reality. The Lamb, Jesus, is already reigning, already leading, already comforting. He is not only our Savior from sin but our Shepherd in sorrow, the One who gently walks with us through every dark valley.

This image beautifully fulfills Psalm 23, where David writes, “The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need” (Psalm 23:1, CSB). Whether you’re in green pastures or shadowy valleys, Jesus is actively guiding and caring for your soul. He knows your name. He leads beside quiet waters. He restores what is broken and renews what is weary. He doesn’t abandon us in the wilderness—He walks with us in it. Just as a shepherd tends each sheep with intention and love, so Christ lovingly tends His people. Every tear you cry, every fear you feel, and every step you take is known by the Shepherd who walks before you.

But Revelation doesn’t only show us a gentle Shepherd; it reveals a victorious King. In Revelation 12:10 (CSB), a loud voice in heaven announces, “The salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have now come.” This declaration follows the defeat of the accuser—Satan—who has been thrown down. Jesus is not only our gentle guide; He is our conquering Christ. The term “Christ” means “Anointed One,” the one chosen by God to reign and redeem. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus disarmed every enemy and secured our eternal victory. He has crushed what once crushed us.

This dual identity—Shepherd and Christ—offers the church immense comfort and unshakable confidence. We are not following a powerless leader. We follow the Lamb who died and rose, the Shepherd who walks with us, and the Christ who reigns for us. And it is through The Lord’s Supper that we regularly remember this reality. “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes”(1 Corinthians 11:23–26, CSB). In this sacred observance, we not only look back to the cross but forward to the Lamb on the throne.

So if you’re walking through a dry place or fighting a hard battle this week, remember the name of Jesus: your Shepherd and your Savior. He doesn’t just lead—He rescues. He doesn’t just comfort—He conquers. He will guide you to living water, wipe away every tear, and never leave your side. As we partake of the bread and the cup, we declare together that the Shepherd has laid down His life and that the Christ now reigns. Trust Him today, follow His voice, and let your heart be refreshed by the One who gave all for you.