Follow My Lead: Getting to Know the Shepherd
By now, we've talked a lot about following Jesus.
We've prepared the way.
We've heard the invitation.
We've made a decision.
We've taken our first steps.
We've learned to listen.
And we've begun hearing the Shepherd's voice.
But before we go any further, there's something important we need to understand.
It's difficult to trust someone you don't know.
Think about the people you trust most.
Trust wasn't built in a single conversation.
It wasn't built because someone told you they were trustworthy.
Trust developed over time.
You watched them.
You listened to them.
You experienced their character.
You learned their values.
You saw how they treated people.
You discovered they were consistent.
The same person in private as they were in public.
The same person in good times as they were in difficult times.
Eventually, trust became natural because you knew them.
The same is true with Jesus.
Many people know about Jesus.
Far fewer truly know Him.
And if we're going to follow His lead, we need to spend time getting to know the Shepherd.
We need to watch Him.
Listen to Him.
Study Him.
Observe how He responds to people.
Notice what captures His attention.
Notice what makes Him angry.
Notice what moves Him to compassion.
Notice who He pursues.
Notice who He defends.
Notice who He corrects.
Notice who He forgives.
As we do, something remarkable begins to happen.
We start recognizing His character.
We begin understanding His motives.
We learn His heart.
Then, when He asks us to do something difficult, trust becomes easier.
We know Him.
We know He is good.
We know He loves us.
We know He is leading us somewhere better.
The disciples learned this by walking beside Him for three years.
We're going to do the same.
Over the next several days, we're going to slow down and spend time observing Jesus through some of His encounters with people.
We're going to watch Him love.
Watch Him teach.
Watch Him forgive.
Watch Him challenge.
Watch Him restore.
And as we do, I believe we'll discover something beautiful.
The more we know the Shepherd, the easier it becomes to trust Him.
And the more we trust Him, the easier it becomes to follow.
Make It Personal
Think about someone you trust deeply.
How was that trust built?
What qualities made them trustworthy?
As you think about Jesus, what do you already know about His character?
What do you hope to learn about Him in the days ahead?
As we begin this journey of watching Jesus more closely, ask yourself:
What if trust grows simply by spending time with Him?
Dig Deeper
John 10:14 — "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me."
Psalm 9:10 — "Those who know your name trust in you."
John 14:9 — "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father."
Hebrews 1:3 — Jesus is the exact representation of God's being.
Matthew 11:29 — "Learn from me."
Before sheep follow the Shepherd, they learn to recognize Him.
Before disciples imitate Jesus, they learn to know Him.
So let's spend some time watching.