Mark 12:1-12

Knowing from the beginning what would transpire if man were given free will to choose good or evil….God still placed him in paradise and surrounded him with beauty. Adam and Eve wanted more. He sent His people prophets after that trying to get them to serve Him freely and with love…they declined… they wanted more. Still God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son to die in their place so that they could spend eternity with Him, His plan from the beginning, they declined. They hung Him. Now this amazing grace, in the Cross of Salvation, is offered to anyone who will accept the love of the Trinity given in Jesus Christ and His Kingship.

cornerstone (Gk. gōnia, akrogōniaios) Strong’s #1137; 204: In biblical times, buildings were often made of cut, squared stone. By uniting two intersecting walls, a cornerstone helped align the whole building and tie it together. In his address before the Jewish Sanhedrin, the apostle Peter quoted Ps. 118:22 and boldly proclaimed that “Jesus Christ of Nazareth,” crucified and raised from the dead, was the stone rejected by the builders “which has become the chief cornerstone”. This chief cornerstone, Jesus Christ, is the foundation of the church, because “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”. In Him “the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord”.

Mark 12:1-12

12 Then He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. ² Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. ³ And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. ⁴ Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. ⁵ And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. ⁶ Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ ⁷ But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ ⁸ So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.

⁹ “Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. ¹⁰ Have you not even read this Scripture:

‘The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the chief cornerstone.

¹¹ This was the Lord’s doing,

And it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

¹² And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.

¹⁶ But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy. 

2 Chronicles 36:16

²³ Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 

Acts 2:23

²² The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 

Psalm 118:22

Matthew 4:12-17

John the Baptist was created for the purpose of preparing the way for the coming of the Lord. When they tried to silence him the Lord came fully into His own preaching what John heralded…repent, for God’s Kingdom was at hand.

3936 παριστάνω, παρίστημι [paristemi, paristano /par·is·tay·mee/] v. From 3844 and 2476; TDNT 5:837; TDNTA 788; GK 4224 and 4225; 42 occurrences; AV translates as “stand by” 13 times, “present” nine times, “yield” five times, “show” twice, “stand” twice, and translated miscellaneously 11 times. 1 to place beside or near. 1a to set at hand. 1a1 to present. 1a2 to proffer. 1a3 to provide. 1a4 to place a person or thing at one’s disposal. 1a5 to present a person for another to see and question. 1a6 to present or show. 1a7 to bring to, bring near. 1a8 metaph. i.e to bring into one’s fellowship or intimacy. 1b to present (show) by argument, to prove. 2 to stand beside, stand by or near, to be at hand, be present. 2a to stand by. 2a1 to stand beside one, a bystander. 2b to appear. 2c to be at hand, stand ready. 2d to stand by to help, to succour. 2e to be present. 2e1 to have come. 2e2 of time.

Matthew 4:12-17

¹² Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. ¹³ And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, ¹⁴ that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

¹⁵ “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,

Galilee of the Gentiles:

¹⁶ The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,

And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death

Light has dawned.”

¹⁷ From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

¹⁴ Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 

Mark 1:14

² The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. 

Isaiah 9:2

³² A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” 

Luke 2:32

Hebrews 4:11-13

By faith and obedience we enter into God’s rest. Though the world crumbles under us we can remain stable. We are in this world and must do our best to be good citizens, good neighbors but after we do all that we can…we rest in His peace!

Although the identity of the author of Hebrews is difficult to trace, his message is quite easy to follow. Many Jewish believers, having stepped out of Judaism into Christianity, wanted to reverse their course in order to escape persecution from their countrymen. But the writer stops them in their tracks, exhorting them to “go on to perfection” (6:1). His appeal is based on the superiority of Christ. The Hebrew system of sacrifice and priestly rule pales in comparison to Christ’s work. The writer insists that Jesus is better than the angels, for even the angels worship Him (2:5). Jesus is better than Moses, for He created him (3:3). Jesus is better than the Aaronic priesthood, for His sacrifice was once for all time (5:4). And He is better than the Law, for He mediates a better covenant.

The rest is not automatic. Determined diligence is required. The danger is that believers today, like the Israelites of the past, will not stand, but fall in disobedience. 

Hebrews 4:11-13

¹ Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. ¹² For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ¹³ And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 

 ⁴⁸ He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. 

John 12:48

¹¹ Hell and Destruction are before the Lord; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men. 

Proverbs 15:11

Daniel 7:11-14

From the day that Jesus gave up His life on the Cross of Salvation He was placed in command of man. Jesus the Christ controls everything…every. little. thing. in this realm that His Father may reign in both earth and in heaven. Judgement is delayed because the Father wants no one to perish and to give everyone the chance to accept or reject His reign, His dominion over mankind.

Son of Man is Semitic for “human being.” Daniel saw One like the “Son of Man,” indicating that He is not a man in the strict sense, but rather the perfect representation of humanity. Jewish and Christian expositors have identified this individual as the Messiah. Jesus Himself used this name to emphasize His humanity as the incarnate Son of God.

Daniel 7:11-14

¹¹ “I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. ¹² As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

¹³ “I was watching in the night visions,

And behold, One like the Son of Man,

Coming with the clouds of heaven!

He came to the Ancient of Days,

And they brought Him near before Him.

¹⁴ Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,

That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

Which shall not pass away,

And His kingdom the one

Which shall not be destroyed.

¹⁰ The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 

Revelation 20:10

⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 

Matthew 26:64

⁶² Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” 

Mark 14:62

³⁵ The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 

John 3:35

³⁶ He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” 

John 3:36

Mark 9:2-4

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Jesus  talked with Moses and Elijah they were present when God spoke to the Apostles.  Jesus brought heaven into the earthly realm of mankind. He is always in control!

Moses was the lawgiver and liberator, while Elijah was the first of the great prophets. Their presence confirmed the reality that Jesus is the Messiah.

Mark 9:2-4

 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. ³ His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. ⁴ And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.

²⁸ Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹ As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. ³⁰ And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, ³¹ who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 

³⁵ And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ^e“This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”

Luke 9:28–31 and 35

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; ² and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. ³ And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.

 ⁵ While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 

Matthew 17:1–3 and 4

⁹ “I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire; 

Daniel 7:9

The NKJ:

9:2 After six days links Jesus’ prediction of v. 1 with the events of vv. 2–8. The high mountain was most likely one of the foothills surrounding Mt. Hermon. They probably did not stand on Mt. Hermon itself, a snowy peak which rises to 9,232 feet. It is the highest point in all of Palestine. These mountains overlook Caesarea Philippi, where Peter’s confession was made (8:27–29). Jesus’ transfiguration deeply affected John and Peter, who mention it in their writings (see John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16–18).

9:4 Elijah is mentioned in Mal. 4:5, 6 in connection with the future coming of Christ. This is why people asked John the Baptist if he were Elijah (John 1:21). Moses was the lawgiver and liberator, while Elijah was the first of the great prophets. Their presence confirmed the reality that Jesus is the Messiah of Peter’s confession.

Luke 12:6-7

When you trust God and acknowledge Him as your Father and Savior… He will never leave you alone. He will never deny you are His. He will be forever on your side. He will love you with an agape love that is beyond your understanding. He will never expect more of you than He is capable of achieving through you.

God knows the most minute detail of what happens on earth.

Luke 12:6-7

⁶ “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. ⁷ But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 

Matthew 6:26

Isaiah 32

There will always be chaos and unrighteousness in the world until Christ returns whose right it is to govern all mankind. 

Until that time our joy and peace is in the Godhead and the salvation that they provided in Jesus Christ. The Father did not leave us alone but gave us the Holy Spirit to direct us in our everyday lives and guide us into His righteousness.

The new age depends on the creative work of the Spirit.

Isaiah 32

¹² People shall mourn upon their breasts

For the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine.

¹³ On the land of my people will come up thorns and briers,

Yes, on all the happy homes in the joyous city;

¹⁵ Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high,

And the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,

And the fruitful field is counted as a forest.

¹⁶ Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,

And righteousness remain in the fruitful field.

¹⁷ The work of righteousness will be peace,

And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.

¹⁸ My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation,

In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places,

¹⁹ Though hail comes down on the forest,

And the city is brought low in humiliation.

²⁹ And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel, says the Lord God.” 

Ezekiel 39:29

²⁸“And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. 

Joel 2:28

⁴He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore. 

Isaiah 2:4

¹⁷ for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 

Romans 14:17

¹⁰ In that day,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘Everyone will invite his neighbor Under his vine and under his fig tree.’ ” 

Zechariah 3:10

Nahum 1:15

As I sat on the deck this morning I was reminded of how useless it is to worry about earthly things. So many times I let worldly concerns override the beauty that God created for us to enjoy. How many wasted moments are spent in fear when the only thing that I need is Him and the only thing I need to be is me.....His creation. 

In the time I am allocated here on earth…I want to bring the peace of the Good News of salvation that Jesus proclaimed to others by being His hands of love to everyone that He places on my journey. 

With the promise of future deliverance from oppression, the prophet called for the people to live in righteousness and expectation. 

There is nothing better for the people of God in any age than to live in obedience to Him anxiously awaiting the return of our Savior.

Nahum 1:15

¹⁵ Behold, on the mountains

The feet of him who brings good tidings,

Who proclaims peace!

O Judah, keep your appointed feasts,

Perform your vows.

For the wicked one shall no more pass through you;

He is utterly cut off.

⁷ How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, ⁱ“Your God reigns!” 

Isaiah 52:7

¹⁵ And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 

Romans 10:15

Ezekiel 21:25-27

God wasn’t talking about non believers, He was talking to His chosen people through the Prophet Ezekiel. We will be changed, one way or another! The Body of Christ will be cleansed of self righteousness until they realize in themselves they can do nothing but in Christ and the unity of the Holy Spirit nothing is implossiblle.

This word means “wrecked” or “ruined” and is used three times consecutively in the Hebrew text to underscore the comprehensive and intensive nature of the destruction. The priestly and kingly offices would not return until the coming of Him whose right it is—the Messiah.

Ezekiel 21:25-27

²⁵ ‘Now to you, O profane, wicked prince of Israel, whose day has come, whose iniquity shall end, ²⁶ thus says the Lord God:

“Remove the turban, and take off the crown;

Nothing shall remain the same.

Exalt the humble, and humble the exalted.

²⁷ Overthrown, overthrown,

I will make it overthrown!

It shall be no longer,

Until He comes whose right it is,

And I will give it to Him.” ’

Habukkuk 3:17-19

In good times or in bad.... faith is the only thing that pleases the Father. Joy in Him is our strength.

God will strengthen those who trust in Him. Like a victorious army, the righteous in God’s strength will overcome the high hills making a level playing field for all who accept salvation to come to His glory through Christ. 

Habukkuk 3:17-19

¹⁷ Though the fig tree may not blossom,

Nor fruit be on the vines;

Though the labor of the olive may fail,

And the fields yield no food;

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,

And there be no herd in the stalls—

¹⁸ Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

¹⁹ The Lord God is my strength;

He will make my feet like deer’s feet,

And He will make me walk on my high hills.

1 Corinthians

It matters little who brings the message of the Gospel it matters what Gospel they bring! 

Paul did not rely on his eloquence or on Greek wisdom to convince his listeners. Instead, he gave the testimony of God which had not been explained before, but which was being revealed by the Holy Spirit. The focal point of Paul’s preaching was Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:10-13

 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. ¹¹ For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. ¹² Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” ¹³ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 2:1-2

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. ² For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

¹¹ Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 

2 Corinthians 13:11

⁸ Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 

1 Peter 3:8

¹⁴ But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 

Galatians 6:14

Harmony

Harmony, (in the unity of the Holy Spirit) God’s way is the road less traveled. It is the way of peace. It was too small a thing that Jesus came to save just the Jews, He came to save all of mankind. He leaves us with His peace which He gives freely to all that believe. We are made whole: mind, body and spirit, in the peace of the Trinity.

 Jesus brought us back into the harmony with God that was intended for mankind in Adam and Eve but we must choose to accept the salvation that only He can provide.

Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon:

1515 εἰρήνη [eirene /i·ray·nay/] n f. Probably from a primary verb eiro (to join); TDNT 2:400; TDNTA 207; GK 1645; 92 occurrences; AV translates as “peace” 89 times, “one” once, “rest” once, and “quietness” once. 1 a state of national tranquillity. 1a exemption from the rage and havoc of war. 2 peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord. 3 security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous). 4 of the Messiah’s peace. 4a the way that leads to peace (salvation). 5 of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is. 6 the blessed state of devout and upright men after death.

1517 εἰρηνοποιέω [eirenopoieo /i·ray·nop·oy·eh·o/] v. From 1518; TDNT 2:419; TDNTA 207; GK 1647; AV translates as “make peace” once. 1 to make peace, establish harmony.

4859 σύμφωνος [sumphonos /soom·fo·nos/] adj. From 4862 and 5456; TDNT 9:304; TDNTA 1287; GK 5247; AV translates as “consent” once. 1 harmonious, accordant, agreeing. 2 thing agreed upon, compact.

604 ἀποκαταλλάσσω [apokatallasso /ap·ok·at·al·las·so/] v. From 575 and 2644; TDNT 1:258; TDNTA 40; GK 639; Three occurrences; AV translates as “reconcile” three times. 1 to reconcile completely. 2 to reconcile back again, bring back a former state of harmony.

1514 εἰρηνεύω [eireneuo /i·rane·yoo·o/] v. From 1515; TDNT 2:417; TDNTA 207; GK 1644; Four occurrences; AV translates as “have peace” once, “live peaceably” once, “live in peace” once, and “be at peace” once. 1 to make peace. 2 to cultivate or keep peace, harmony. 3 to be at peace, live in peace.

The Word (logos) of God made flesh….Jesus the Christ.

Pythagoras:

The ancient mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras (ca. 570–495 bc) believed that a hidden principle of harmony existed in the universe that was responsible for the proportional relations (logos) of one thing to another. Pythagoras enumerated three principles (Hillar, Logos to Trinity, 7):

1. the monad (represented by the number 1) from which everything came to exist—the principle of unity

2. the dyad (represented by the number 2) that represented the diversity of all things

3. the relation (logos) of one thing to another, which explains how the first two principles operated together

These three principles offered an explanation for how the universe could appear random and unpredictable yet remain unified and operational (Hiller, Logos to Trinity, 10).

Heraclitus:

(ca. 535–475 bc) was the first Greek philosopher to imbue the word logos with metaphysical meaning. He understood logos as a principle of universal coherence and saw the world as a collection of unified things all kept in order by logos (Hillar, Logos to Trinity, 10). 

Heraclitus believed that a single principle of harmony existed behind all of nature. The world exhibits order because it reflects the nature of the logos that structures it. For Heraclitus, logos is the only reality that exists; all events and processes are instances of this one underlying principle. Thus, the logos is common and available to all people. Successful or truthful speech is a reflection of the logos at work within people because it reflects the universal truth of the world.

  

peace (Gk. eirēnē) (1:2; 3:15; Eph. 2:17; Phil. 1:2; 4:7) Strong’s #1515; rule (Gk. brabeuō) (3:15) Strong’s #1018: The Greek term eirēnē has a variety of meanings, including “unity,” “tranquility,” and “concord,” and corresponds to the Hebrew word shalom, which primarily means “wholeness.” In the NT, the Greek word is used for a harmonious relationship between people (Rom. 14:19), the order produced by a ruling government (Acts 24:2), and the reconciliation between God and a person through the saving work of Christ (Eph. 2:17). In 3:15, Paul encourages the believers to let “the peace of God rule” in their hearts. The Greek word for rule means “to act as umpire” or “to arbitrate.” 

The peace of God should act as our umpire when anger, envy, and other such passions arise in our hearts.

Luke 11 ;52-54

Strict adherence to man made Church law can kill the very spirit or intent of the Scriptures. The simplicity of the Gospels’ when the core of it is held up, Jesus Christ, will draw people to the cross not hinder them from entering into His peace.

Jesus charged the lawyers with doing the opposite of what they claimed their calling to be. Rather than bringing people nearer to God, they had removed the possibility of their entering into that knowledge, and had prevented others from understanding as well.

Luke 11:52-54

Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.”

⁵³ And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, ⁵⁴ lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him.

¹³ “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. 

Matthew 23:13

¹⁵ Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 

Mark 8:15

¹² Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 

Matthew 16:12

³⁹ Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness. 

Luke 11:39

JOHN 10:11-16

Jesus was not under a mandate to save us…..He chose to! 

He had the power to lay down His life and He had the power to pick it up. He chose to give up His life in place of yours. He is the only way to the Father. In seeking the truth you will find Jesus the Christ.

Jesus laid down His physical life in order to give us eternal life. 

The other sheep were not Jews in heathen lands, but Gentiles. The Jewish people had asked if Jesus would go and teach the Gentiles. Jesus now declared that He had sheep among the despised heathen. One flock anticipates the salvation of the Gentiles and the formation of the church, in which converted Jews and Gentiles would form one spiritual body.

John 10:11-16

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. ¹² But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. ¹³ The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. ¹⁵ As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. ¹⁶ And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

¹¹ He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. 

Isaiah 40:11

⁷ The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. 

Nahum 1:7

²⁰ Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 

Hebrews 13:20

²⁵ For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned  to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 

1 Peter 2:25

¹⁷ for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” 

Revelation 7:17