THE SHEPHERD AND HIS SHEEP

The Bible’s use of shepherd imagery to portray God’s care for His people is both gentle and fierce, tending to their needs and defending them from attack.

We also see both facets of shepherding in the way Jesus used the metaphor. Of course, they would have been familiar images to those who first heard His descriptions and parables. Even today, shepherds are commonly seen around the seemingly barren Judean hills. But Jesus went further with His use of this model of care. He described the close relationship that He has with His sheep. “He calls his own sheep by name . . . and his sheep follow him because they know his voice” (John 10:3, 4). He also urged that His flock was welcoming to other sheep who would hear His voice and choose to follow. “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also” (John 10:16). The most significant and perhaps unexpected aspect of this imagery was the way in which Jesus declared His willingness to die for His sheep.

He contrasted His commitment with that of hired shepherds, who would be more likely to run in the face of danger, leaving the sheep to defend themselves.

He also warned about those who would seek to climb over the wall of the sheep pen to steal and attack the flock. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

While talking about shepherding, Jesus was talking about His sacrifice for the lives of those who would follow Him. This was something He would do voluntarily and was able to do because of His authority and that of His Father (see John 10:18).

It was Jesus’ ultimate claim to be “the good shepherd”: “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:29).