My thoughts on the May
Watchtower Broadcasting - First Talk
THIS NEEDS LOTS OF CLARIFICATION, ESPECIALLY IN THE SECOND SECTION!!!
Shepherd: A Biblical Perspective
John 10:3b The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
27...My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me,
John 6:39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
Hebrews 13:20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,
Ezekiel 34: 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. 16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy.[a] I will feed them in justice.
IN THE OLD TESTAMENT YHWH IS THE SHEPHERD OF ISRAEL…. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT JESUS IS NOW THE SHEPHERD. AS LORD AND KING THE SHEEP BELONG TO THE SON.
Luke 15:1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Mark 6:34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins (JESUS) in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (PETER WAS SPEAKING ABOUT JESUS)
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Luke 9:35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One;[c] listen to him!”
John 3:34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Heb. 1: 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things…
John 14:25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ (Jesus is at work and he feeds us through Holy Spirit.)
In summary, Jesus is “the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me.” Jesus is not only the Good Shepherd who gives His life willingly for His sheep (John 10:11), but He is also the “gate” or “door” of the sheep (John 10:9). In this metaphor Jesus presents Himself as the One who gives salvation, the One who gives us everlasting life.
A Watchtower Society Perspective: May Watchtower Broadcast – First talk
Isa. 40:11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
Ps. 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Our shepherd Jehovah leads, protects and feeds sheep.
What does Jehovah do?
How does he do it?
And what do you need to do?
Our Shepherd leads us
Ps. 23:1-2 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
Pasture
Strong's 4999: Habitation, house, pasture, pleasant place
From na'ah; a home; figuratively, a pasture -- habitation, house, pasture, pleasant place.
How does Jehovah lead us?
By means of his Word, he teaches us how to make wise decisions that leads to paths of righteousness. A life course pleasing to him and brings us happiness. He sets a course and a pace that we’re able to follow, never expecting us to do more than we are able.
Jehovah also leads us by means of undershepherds, the elders, who tenderly care for us spiritually, emotionally and physically, so that we will lack nothing.
What do you need to do?
Search publication for specific Bible principles and helpful advice that can shed light on your present circumstances and provide practical ways to overcome difficulties or give you the patience to endure.
Many find encouragement and comfort watching JW broadcasting.
Are you benefiting from the monthly broadcasts, videos, and uplifting songs?
Our Shepherd protects us.
Ps. 23:4b your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Jehovah uses his staff “to warn and protect us from predators seeking to harm us, especially from Satan, who in the Bible is portrayed as a vicious lion and a cunning serpent. Jehovah also has appointed elders in the congregation to warn and protect us from harmful influences and from taking a dangerous path in this wicked world.”
How does Jehovah protect us?
He protects us as a group, or flock. Also, each sheep individually- protects us spiritually.
What do you need to do?
Take full advantage of the many provisions Jehovah makes available to protect us spiritually.
Prayer, fellow worshippers, and timely spiritual food,
Our Shepherd feeds us
Ps. 23:5-6 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell[f] in the house of the Lord forever.
Through faithful and discreet slave, Jehovah gives us timely publications as well as rich spiritual programs at our meetings, assemblies, conventions, JW Broadcasting, Governing Body updates, along with encouraging songs and videos, and so much more.
What do you need to do?
Show your appreciation by eating it and never being fussy, picky, or selective in your eating habits.
REMEMBER, the Bible and Bible-based publications are ways that “JEHOVAH SPEAKS TO US, IN EFFECT, SAYING: “THIS IS THE WAY. WALK IN IT,” MY PRECIOUS SHEEP.
… be determined to “dwell in the house of Jehovah- continue attending our upbuilding meetings, assemblies, and conventions, where we receive spiritual nourishment and protection.
Finally, Losch says Jesus is also called a shepherd, who is called the fine shepherd. (It took 16 min to mention Jesus) Shepherds lead, feed and protect, care for injured/ailing sheep.
Follow lead of Jehovah, Jesus and elders and work together in unity.
“How reassuring it is to know that our LOVING SHEPHERDS ON THE GOVERNING BODY TAKE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO LEAD, PROTECT, AND FEED YOU, ME AND ALL OF JEHOVAH’S PRECIOUS SHEEP VERY SERIOUSLY!
MAY WE ALL CONTINUE TO HUMBLY AND OBEDIENTLY FOLLOW THEIR LEAD AS WE FOLLOW CLOSELY THE LEAD OF OUR GREAT SHEPHERD, JEHOVAH, AND IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF OUR FINE SHEPHERD AND KING, JESUS. (17:36 minutes)