I will smite the shepherd.
Why Christ is called a Shepherd
1. As descending from ancient patriarchs who were shepherds. They were types of Him.
2. He knows His sheep, and marks them for His own (John 10:3; John 10:14). God sets His seal on them (2 Timothy 2:19).
3. He feeds their souls and bodies in green pastures (Psalms 23:1-6) and drives them to the sweet streams and waters of comfort, by the paths of grace and righteousness.
4. He defends them from the wolf and enemies; they being timorous, simple, weak, shiftless creatures, unable to fly, resist, or save themselves.
5. He nourishes the young and tender lambs.
6. He seeks them when they go astray, and rejoices to find them.
7. He brings them to the fold.
(1) The fold of grace.
(2) The fold of glory. (Dr. Thomas Taylor.)
Comfort in Christ, our Shepherd
In that Christ is our Shepherd, we may comfort ourselves in-
1. His love. More love is included in the title “Shepherd,” than if He should call Himself our father, brother, kinsman. The good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep, which every father or brother will not do.
2. His care. The sheep need care for nothing but the Shepherd’s presence (Psalms 23:1). (Dr. Thomas Taylor.)
Christ smitten, an example to us
In that Christ was smitten with the sword, let us learn patience in affliction of every kind.
1. He suffered for no necessity or desert, but by voluntary humility, whereas we deserve fiery trials.
2. He suffered not for His own cause, but ours; and shall not we for His?
3. He despised the shame; and why should not we?
4. The end of His cross was the exaltation at God’s right hand; and we expect the same. (Dr. Thomas Taylor.)
Comfort because God is the smiter
Though Christ was smitten, it was not by chance, fortune, or altogether by malice of wicked men; but all by the counsel and decree of God. If thou art smitten, comfort thyself.
1. It is God’s hand.
2. God intends by this means to bring about some good purpose in thee.
3. God not only sends thy trouble, but also regulates and checks it. (Dr. Thomas Taylor.)
The scattering
Why were the disciples thus scattered?
1. Their own weakness and carnal fear made them fly to save themselves. They had not counted the cost of their profession. Nor had they yet received the Holy Spirit, which afterwards kept them strong and stedfast.
2. God in His wisdom would have Christ deserted, because He was to be known to tread “the winepress of God’s wrath alone.”
3. Thus it behoved the Scripture to be fulfilled, in regard of Christ Himself, who voluntarily undertaking the grievous burden of our sin, must be forsaken by all for the time.
4. To teach us, that all our safety depends on our relation to the chief Shepherd. Without Christ we lie dispersed, ungathered, and forlorn. (Dr. Thomas Taylor.)