“I AM the Good Shepherd”

Jesus announced that He is the Good Shepherd [John 10:11, 14] because the Pharisees, charged with the responsibility of pasturing and shepherding God’s people, were examples of bad shepherds. Jesus wanted the people to know that the relationship of the shepherd to his sheep is one of love, protection and guidance. 

Scripture is rife with illustrations of shepherds. Abel, Abraham, Jacob, the twelve tribes, Moses, David who eventually became King were all shepherds. The angels even announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds in the field. Those shepherds, the Bible tells us in Luke 2:8, were “keeping watch over their flocks at night”; they were guarding their sheep. 

A good shepherd is one who invests in his sheep. He dedicates his life to caring for the sheep – ignorant creatures unable to care for themselves. He will not abandon his flock when danger comes but instead he stands between his sheep and any threat, willingly and selflessly facing the danger first, running toward it if necessary [1 Samuel 17], in defense of his beloved sheep. A good shepherd is willing to lay down his life for his sheep. This is the love that a good shepherd has for his flock; love that is rooted in a deep, incomprehensible affection.

When we understand the love of the shepherd for his sheep we will receive a revelation of the extent of Jesus’ great love for us. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lay down His life for us, His sheep. He is not the hired hand who runs away when the wolf attacks [John 10:11-13]. He is the Good Shepherd who offered His life to offer us Life [John 10:10].

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever, Amen.” 

[Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV]

“I AM the Good Shepherd” [John 10:11, 14] ©2013 Shelley Johnson