The very first word, “I”, assures us that this verse should be of interest to us and gain our trust. Jesus is the speaker, the subject, and the source of our needs. I’ve often said that the key to living victoriously is to your focus on the person and work of Christ. Considering who He is and what He has done is essential.Nothing is more important than understanding your relationship with Christ.
We should live with an awareness of who we are and what we have in Christ. While there are many ways to do this one of the best is to study the metaphor of Christ as the Good Shepherd. Because of the popularity of the twenty third Psalm and this chapter much has been written about the Lord as our Shepherd. The more you study it the more you see why. Naturally in a short message like this there is much that must be left unsaid, so I simply want to focus on what is said about what Christ knows about His sheep.
He knows their names. “..he calleth his own sheep by name..”(John 10:13). This is why we often speak about having a personal relationship with Christ. He doesn’t just know about us, He knows us. And to be known of the Lord is the difference between heaven and hell (Matt. 7:23). Salvation involves more than knowing about the Lord (Ja, 2:19). It is about you knowing Him and Him knowing you.
He knows their nature. He knows we are weak and wayward, feeble and foolish. We are so foolish as to wander away from Him and so feeble that we can’t protect ourselves against our enemies. Were it not for the Shepherd’s constant care we would all perish. He knows us better than we know ourselves. We are wise to trust Him and follow wherever He leads. The center of God’s will is the safest place on earth–don’t stray.
He knows their needs. He knows our suffering ( Ex. 3:9; 2 Kgs. 14:26), sighs (Psa. 38:9), and tears (2 Kgs. 20:5). He is aware of our needs, able to meet them, and available when needed. Knowing He knows is a great encouragement. He has all power, is ever present, and always keeps His promises. That’s why we have blessed assurance. He knows. He cares. He can help.—HDS
