The Good Shepherd

John 10:11-16

One of my favorite pictures of Jesus is of Him as the Good Shepherd, standing with a flock of sheep gathered around Him, and in His arms is a young lamb. Several times throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus makes statements declaring “I Am the …”. I am the Bread of Life (John 6:35); I am the Light of the World (John 8:12); I am the Door of the Sheep (John 10:7); I am the Good Shepherd (John 10:11); I am the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25);  I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6); and I am the True Vine (John 15:1). This one, though, is possibly the most beloved and comforting of those statements.

Unlike most other domesticated animals, sheep need more attentive care, and the shepherd needs to watch over them more carefully. The shepherd and his sheep develop a strong and close bond. Here in our passage Jesus stated that He is that Good Shepherd (vs. 11). One of the reasons that He is a good shepherd is that He will lay down His life for His sheep.  Who are God’s sheep? Everyone who has accepted Jesus as their Savior.  Jesus loves His sheep so much that He died for them (vs. 11, 15). A good and caring shepherd will sometimes find it necessary to put his safety at risk while out in the fields caring for the sheep.  However, not that many would actually sacrifice their life for them. Jesus, though, actually did.

Jesus then continues on in this discourse to contrast Himself, the Good Shepherd, with others who have been assigned to look after the Father’s sheep. They are the hirelings, hired hands, or under-shepherds (vs. 12 - 13). These hired hands were appointed and employed to look after the sheep, but unfortunately they didn’t care for them.  As Jesus stated, those uncaring hirelings saw the wolf coming and fled, leaving the sheep to be caught and killed.

Centuries earlier God spoke through His prophet, Ezekiel, against the hired shepherds who failed in their duty to watch over and protect His sheep (Ezekiel 34:1-10).  The wolf is symbolic of the devil, who is always on the prowl looking for people, for victims, he can snatch. It is the hired shepherd’s job to watch over and protect the sheep under his care, keeping them safe from the wolf. God has assigned pastors and other religious leaders to watch over His people. Too many of them are lax in their duties, and their people are at risk of attack from the enemy of their soul. They are more concerned for themselves and do not care about God’s sheep.  False teachers and leaders do not have the commitment to the sheep that the Good Shepherd does. For them this is only a job and money-making opportunity.

One sign of the bond between a shepherd and his flock is that he knows each sheep, and they know him and can recognize and respond to his voice.  Jesus knows His sheep, those who have called upon His Name for salvation (vs. 14). We are not some anonymous head in the masses. Jesus knows and loves each and every one of us personally.  Our Shepherd wants us to know Him closely and intimately, as well. How can we do that? The best way is by getting into His Word, the Bible.  The closer we get to our Shepherd through prayer and Bible study, the safer we are from any false shepherds and wolves.

Jesus spoke these words to His disciples, who were Jewish believers. He proceeds to tell them that He has “other sheep” which must be brought into the fold (vs. 16).  These are the Gentiles, who are not yet believers. God has always intended that Gentiles hear His message of salvation and be included as His children.  Jesus clearly states that He is also their Shepherd. He loves and cares for them, as well, and we are to be one flock.

Jesus willingly gave His life for us, His sheep, so we can trust that He will not keep back from us anything that will benefit us.  He knows all of our problems, and He cares for us. He is our Good Shepherd.