My Own Jesus (Pt.2)

by Cassie Downs,

Christian Blogger

I’ve always dreamt of having a small hobby farm. Sheep, goats, chickens, and maybe a calf because let’s be real, everything is cuter when it’s miniature. To spend my days chasing little baby lambs or maybe a miniature horse sounds borderline dreamy to me. Of course I know nothing about farming or raising any of these animals besides chickens which we did for a few years. Technically, we have the space on our land, we’re just lacking the animals, barns, and time to be farmers. There probably isn’t much likelihood you’ll be calling me farmer Cass or shepherd Sass anytime soon. But all this farm talk has my brain thinking about another farmer, or shepherd really.

In the Old Testament books of 1 and 2 Samuel we learn about a boy named David, a shepherd boy turned King. Scripture tells us that the prophet Samuel went searching for a King for Israel and God showed him David. The Bible describes David as small in stature, and large in heart. God even referred to David as a man after His own heart.

Can I just pause here to say; Lord, let this be me. May I be a person after your heart.

David loved music and also was a poet, writing much of what we now call the book of Psalms. One of my most loved passages is Psalm 23. This devotion came very close to being a book about David’s roadmap to a successful life in Christ based on Psalm 23. God obviously had other plans for this project.

Let’s look together at Psalm 23:1.

The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.—Psalm 23:1 (CSB) (emphasis mine)

My shepherd.

Did you catch that?

David clarifies that his relationship with the Lord is personal. He didn’t say the Lord is our shepherd, although He certainly is. He didn’t say the Lord is my fathers shepherd. David makes his relationship with the Lord very personal.

Okay Cassie, I get it; we have to make our relationship personal. Glad we’re tracking. Getting personal with Jesus is a must. We can’t become more like someone we don’t know on a personal level. But reading this makes me wonder why David didn’t say, the Lord is my God; I lack nothing. Why call Him, shepherd? Obviously, David knew a thing or two about being a shepherd, shepherding was His life. So I imagine He didn’t call God a shepherd without some understanding of what that means. Shepherds were often looked down on in that day and time. So it seems risky to call the God of the universe, shepherd. Am I right!? I believe David meant no disrespect to his Heavenly Father. David knew the incredible responsibility of a shepherd and said this to honor God. I believe it’s David’s hope through this psalm that we too would understand the role of a shepherd to further understand Jesus as our shepherd. Look what Jesus says in the book of John.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—John 10:14 (NIV)

Let’s look at this verse again but compared to the amplified version.

“I am the Good Shepherd, and I know [without any doubt those who are] My own and My own know Me [and have a deep, personal relationship with Me]—”

John 10:14 AMP11

I find it extremely interesting the role of a shepherd considering Jesus. A shepherd has three jobs; protect the flock, guide the flock, and provide for the flock. And even better, Jesus calls himself a good shepherd (John 10:14). There is a far cry from a good shepherd to a bad one. Lousy shepherds would often leave their flock to fend for themselves, unable to be protected and without the provision of food and water. Wandering and lost with no direction, vulnerable to the elements and threats of the enemies lurking nearby (sounds a lot like idolatry but that’s a conversation for another day). But Jesus says He is a good shepherd. One we can trust to lead, protect, and provide everything we need to flourish.

Allowing Christ to be our shepherd is allowing oneself to surrender to His authority. It means allowing His way and His character to permeate our life. Our life is only ever as good as the manager of it. If we hope to live a life of fullness, a life bearing Christ imagine, we must accept Jesus as our personal shepherd, to know Him and be known by Him. He paid a high price for you, shed His blood on Calvary knowing you may choose to deny Him. Our shepherd Jesus is not interested in controlling you, but yearns for a caring relationship with you. He longs to get personal with you. To be your shepherd, your own Jesus.

When we get personal with Jesus, we give all of us to receive all of Him. Allowing Him access to every part of our being; the good, the bad, and the ugly. The fits, the short-comings, the unforgiveness, the secrets, the hurts, the things we hold precious, the good days, every ounce of our existence. It means becoming more like Him and less like me. It’s a journey unlike any other. But as we let go of me, He is faithful to invade our heart and change us for the better. He shows up in power, in grace, and in love like He did for the woman with the issue of blood. She didn’t deserve the grace He showed her through her healing. You and I don’t deserve His grace now. But because of His extravagant love for us, He longs to make us whole. He wants to get personal with us so that He can shine through us to a dark world in desperate need of Him. So that we will grow and produce fruit that the world can eat and find life.

It seems a little out of place, but look at this verse in Matthew with me. I promise it isn’t a rabbit trail and I’ll make it make sense considering our conversation. 

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

—Matthew 11:18-29 (MSG)

Notice the questions Jesus is asking here; are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion that lacks relationship? And then the glorious invitation, Come to me, He says.

Before we go too far, I want to clarify that religion is not a bad thing, religion, the law, is what moves us toward Jesus. God’s word makes it clear we cannot save ourselves. It’s why Jesus came. God saw we couldn’t do this on our own, so He provided the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. No longer are we bound by a list of rules that are impossible to follow, but we get to have a relationship with the very one who gave His life to save ours from an eternity in Hell.

Sure, there are times relationship is hard, and so, we show up for church religiously whether we feel like it. Sometimes we read God’s word religiously. Are you picking up what I’m putting down? There are times we need religion, but religion should never replace our relationship with Jesus. Personal relationship is where freedom happens, apart from Jesus we can never do enough and be enough to break free from our sin and issues that keep us bound. Our relationship with Jesus is where faith and fullness of God happen. It’s where we find rest, it’s where we learn the character of our Lord, it is where grace is found and the hand of God lightens our burdens. Apart from Christ we can do nothing (John 15:5). And religion apart from Jesus is worthless.

Jesus came to get personal with you, not pushy. He will never shove His way into your life and force you to come to Him. He’s a gentleman. Jesus offers you an invitation into a life of fullness, purpose, love, grace, forgiveness, and mercy. A life filled of all the things that He is. A life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. Maybe it’s just me, but that’s a life I want to mirror, that’s the character I want to wear. He’s the person I want to become. And while I may not have it all together, maybe you don’t either. Jesus still invites us to come to Him and recover our life. Come and enjoy the goodness of who He is. His presence is a gift that cost you nothing, and cost Him everything.

So, is it personal? Is Jesus your shepherd? It’s hard to get personal with a stranger.

Who or what are you becoming? Are you becoming love and joy? Are you becoming hateful and frustrated? The church body is growing ever frustrated in the times we’re currently living. You don’t believe me? Scroll your social feed and tell me how much love, patience, and joy are being spread by the “church body” in your feed. I’m not passing judgment. I’m saying as the body, it’s time to ditch the distractions and get personal with Jesus. It’s time we stop chasing someone else’s Jesus and get personal with our own Jesus. Don’t take Sister Sues’ word for it, but allow Holy Spirit to work in and through you. Allow the good shepherd to be everything you lack.

God sent us the cure for our issues. His name is Jesus. Grab ahold of Him.

As you’ll see throughout the pages to come, Jesus is all we need. But we must choose Him and it must be personal. My Jesus will never be enough for you. But your own Jesus will be more than you will ever need. If you want to put on His character, if you want to live in His fullness, you have to know Him and He must know you. Grab ahold of His garment and don’t let go. And be warned, He will change you from the inside out.

Are you ready?

Before we go any further, let’s take a moment to get personal with Him. Pray this prayer with me if you are ready to put on the character of Christ and live in the fullness of life He brings.

Jesus, thank you for rescuing me.

Lord, I have been living life trying to be enough and do enough and today I am choosing to let go of me and grab ahold of you. My salvation is not based on what I do, but what you did. No longer will I chase the Jesus of my pastor, my parents, or my spouse, but I choose to make you, my own Jesus.

Renovate my heart, Lord. Take all of me and trade it for all of you. Show me who you are and who I am in you. Make yourself known through my conduct, through the love and joy I carry in your name. When people look at me, may they see you. Search my heart and tear down the parts of me that are not pleasing to you. Mold and make me into the child of God I was created to be. God, I take up my cross and I chase you. Today and every day. I leave the distractions behind and fix my eyes on you. I’m not looking back. I’m looking ahead to you and who I can become through you. Grow my faith to produce the best kind of fruit, fruit others can safely eat. Make me more like you and a lot less like me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1 1. https://bible.com/bible/1588/jhn.10.14.AMP

Cassie Downs is the author of Chasing Jesus and Unrivaled, both 60-day devotionals and founder of Everyday Jesus Ministry. Connect with her online at everyday-jesus.com. Cassie’s books are available locally and Amazon.com.