Christ as Shepherd in His Resurrection vs. Christ as King in God’s Kingdom

 

Christ as Shepherd in His Resurrection vs. Christ as King in God’s Kingdom

Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters.

Psalm 23:3 He restores my soul; he guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Psalm 24:7 Lift up your heads, O gates; be lifted up, O eternal doors; the King of glory will enter.

Psalm 24:8 And who is this King of glory? The Lord, mighty and powerful, mighty in the battle! 

Item	Christ as Shepherd in His Resurrection (Psalm 23)	Christ as King in God’s Kingdom (Psalm 24)
Meaning	Christ in resurrection becomes the life-giving Spirit to shepherd His flock (the church).	Christ as the victorious One reigns as the glorious King over the whole earth.
Reason	Through incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection, He is qualified to shepherd mankind.	Through His victory, He is qualified to take possession of the earth as God’s kingdom.
Figure	Shepherd, sheep, green pastures, waters of rest, rod and staff.	King of glory, gates, ancient doors, mighty warrior.
Explanation	Shepherding is inward and in life, supplying, restoring, and transforming believers.	Kingship is outward and in authority, manifesting God’s dominion over the nations.
Operation	Works within believers by the Spirit: feeding, guiding, comforting, and protecting.	Appears publicly with power: entering in glory and ruling the earth.
Result	Produces the church as the flock dwelling in God’s house.	Establishes God’s kingdom with Christ reigning over all.
Mutual Relation	Shepherding prepares people for the kingdom.	Kingship is the outcome of mature shepherding.
Example	Passing through the valley of death-shadow with the Lord’s presence and table.	The King of glory entering the gates as the victorious Lord of hosts.
Application	Believers today enjoy Christ’s shepherding in the church life.	Believers await Christ’s return as the reigning King.
Burden	That believers grow in life and transformation.	That believers lift up their heads to welcome the King.
Prophetic Guidance	Declare: “The resurrected Christ is my Shepherd; I lack nothing.”	Declare: “The victorious Christ is the King of glory who is coming.”
Conclusion	Today Christ is the inward Shepherd in resurrection.	In the future Christ will be the outward King in glory.
Scriptures	Ps. 23; John 10:9–16; 1 Cor. 15:45b; 2 Cor. 3:17; 1 Pet. 5:2	Ps. 24; Luke 21:27; Matt. 25:31; Phil. 3:20; Hag. 2:7

✨ Spiritual Integrated View (Key Point)

Psalm 23 reveals Christ as the Shepherd in resurrection (inward, life, today).
Psalm 24 reveals Christ as the King in the kingdom (outward, authority, future).
The same Christ shepherds today and reigns tomorrow.

📣 One Prophetic Sentence

Today Christ shepherds me in resurrection; tomorrow He will reign as King in glory.

🏁 Ultimate Conclusion

Shepherding is for the kingdom, and the kingdom is the consummation of shepherding.
Christ shepherds believers into maturity, and matured believers enter with Him into His kingdom.

 

*Please refer to the 2025 Winter Training: Experience, Enjoy, and Manifest Christ (Part 4), Week 5: Tree of Life.