Our Amazing Shepherd!

With life-giving words, God paints a picture:

“I the Lord am your Shepherd, (to feed, guide, and shield you), you shall not lack” (Psalm 23:1). Jesus is the Great Shepherd of the sheep (Hebrews 13:20). Shepherds considered their responsibility for caring for their sheep very seriously. With a keen and sensitive eye, they watched over them, attentive to their needs (Jeremiah 31:10). A shepherd searches for lost sheep (Ezekiel 34:8) and looks for the scattered flock (Ezekiel 34:12).

These are God’s thoughts regarding shepherding:

“I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. I will bring them back home to their own land… I will feed them on the mountains… and by the rivers… Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills… There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in the lush pastures of the hills. I Myself will tend My sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Lord. I will search for My lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak” (Ezekiel 34:11-16).

A shepherd puts the sheep above his concerns (Ezekiel 34:8). To the shepherd, sheep are like family. They had a special relationship with those in their care. Day-to-day responsibilities included feeding, guiding, monitoring them for sickness, and protecting them from predators. The shepherd would risk his life to save the sheep from harm.

It is not surprising that Jesus likened Himself to a Shepherd who carefully watches over His ‘family’. He desired the role of Shepherd; that is why He humbled Himself, gave up His rightful dignity, and took the position of a servant (Philippians 2:7). Jesus possessed all the qualities of an excellent Shepherd, including laying down His life for His sheep!

Sheep without a shepherd scatter (1 Kings 22:17). This makes them vulnerable to danger, “easy prey for wild animals” (Ezekiel 34:5). People are the same way. Without the guidance and care of a Shepherd, one who leads them on the journey of life, they too go to their ways of living life and are tempted by the devil. But God has not left us to our own devices. He has provided everything we need for life and godliness through Jesus Christ, our Savior (2 Peter 1:3). God has given us the Spirit of His Son, Jesus, Who abides with us forever (Galatians 4:6). He will never leave us or forsake us, but He is with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:5). He has provided us with His provisions and benefits of power, ability, wisdom, strength, righteousness, forgiveness, and the power of His Word.   

A shepherd often carries the young, the vulnerable sheep, in his arms (Psalm 28:9) to protect them. “He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart…” Isaiah 40:11). In our weakness, God is strong (2 Corinthians 12:9). We are always led to triumph in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14). He is our sufficiency!

Sheep without a shepherd are confused and helpless (Matthew 9:36). Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know Me, just as my Father knows Me and I know the Father. So, I sacrifice My life for the sheep” (John 10:14,15). “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd sacrifices His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Jesus is the Lamb on the Throne and He is our Shepherd who leads us to springs of life-giving water (Revelation 7:17).

With the same confidence and trust that sheep have in their master shepherd, we should also have the same confidence in Jesus, our Shepherd. It is no coincidence, that He chose this imagery to confirm His commitment and care for us; both the gentleness of His love and the competency of His ability to Shepherd His children.