The good shepherd referred to back in Psalm 23 is Jesus... he is our Shepherd and King! We were designed to need a shepherd, to worship something, so we all follow some religion, be it politics, self-reliance, atheism. But the only worthy object of our worship is Jesus!

The Good Shepherd lays down his own life for his sheep. He's always kind, faithful, compassionate. He appoints "under-shepherds," the first being the apostles, and now the leaders of the church, replacing the priests of Israel.

Woe to the shepherds who scatter the sheep. Herod was an evil, self-serving shepherd.

Jesus is like a greater Moses, leading his people to freedom. When crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites were arranged in battle formation. The flock of the Shepherd King is an army!

Jesus is also a greater Joshua... He's leading an army. People coming to him often want him to lead the army the way they want... but Jesus came to convert the nations, not defeat them! We must go into all nations, making disciples and baptizing, to bring the nations to Christ, until the end of the age.

If we belong to God, we also belong to his army. We stand with him, and against the forces of darkness! Not killing our enemies, but even dying for them, for their benefit! We're not waging war against flesh, but against the powers of darkness. Waging war by being faithful to our spouse, training up our children, being a good witness, testifying to the goodness of Christ!

We need to be utterly and totally united with our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is war. We must have unity!