Jesus goes ahead of us. That is a comforting thought and reveals how much He loves us. Jesus illustrates the sheep-and-shepherd relationship of going ahead, and, in a spiritual sense, this is what Jesus does in our lives. John 10:4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” [1]
When the shepherd goes before the sheep, it shows how much the sheep rely on him to lead them to the right pasture and water. In many ways, we are like sheep because we don’t know which path to take in life, but our Lord does. As He goes before us, He leads us to experience life with Him that we would not discover on our own. In fact, when we try to live without being led by our good Shepherd, we find our lives becoming an ongoing train wreck.
Giving our Free Will to God
As I have grown in my faith, I have prayed many times to surrender my free will to the Lord so He can guide my path. Perhaps you’ve done the same, or maybe the Lord is prompting you to say that prayer today. David may have been contemplating something similar. Psalm 23:1The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along the right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. [2]
As you meditate on the words David wrote, the compassion and care of the shepherd seem to come alive. Not only does the shepherd love his sheep, but the sheep love the shepherd. This is what having a relationship with Jesus is all about: we move from reluctantly letting the Shepherd lead us to genuinely desiring His guidance. In God’s infinite grace, He gives us free will, but to be led by Him, we lovingly give it back to Him so He can lead us.
God Has a Plan for Our Lives
Have you ever stopped to wonder what your life might look like if Jesus hadn’t gone before you? Remember, God has excellent plans just for you, and that is why He goes ahead of us so His plans can unfold in our lives. He knew about you even before you were born, understanding every detail—from the hairs on your head to every thought you have, and each day you’re given on this earth. It’s clear that such careful attention isn’t left to chance.
Rest assured, God’s plans for you are filled with goodness and hope. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. [3] His plan is good because of the purpose it serves. It is good because of the hope it provides. But really, it is good simply because of the God who calls it so. As you go through your day, quiet your spirit, listen to the voice of the Shepherd, and follow Him, and your life will never be the same.
To learn how Jesus goes ahead of us, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/jesus-said-i-am-the-gate
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.