Jesus, The Good Shepherd, Pt 1

It is important that a door can be and is opened for sheep to enter for their safety during the night, when the wolves come seeking, as food for themselves, the sheep. But there is another extremely important truth. There must be a shepherd who will open that door to let them in, and close it to keep out the wolves.

Jesus, our Savior, is that shepherd. Having told us that He is the door, He also brings us the comforting truth that He loves us and takes care of us. Thus, according to John 10:14, He declares, "I am the Good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine."

He indeed is the Good Shepherd Who not only loves His sheep, but is fully equipped to protect them and supply all their needs. Not only does He have the strength to protect them, but also the wisdom. And His powerful eye can see and hear all the thieves and wolves who strive to take away His sheep. The good shepherd does not sleep but stands all night watching the sheep, protecting them from the enemies outside that want to kill them. He is the good shepherd Who is concerned with what is good for His sheep. He can and will make sure that not even one is taken out of that sheepfold.

Yes, He knows who His sheep are. He has God's book wherein their names were eternally written. He knows that the Father gave them to Him to feed, watch over, and protect from the wolves that fill this world.

In this day and age we do well to take hold of this truth. There are those who call themselves shepherds, and seem to be concerned with the well-being of the sheep, but they are tools of Satan, who uses them to try to get the sheep to cling to false doctrines which are poisonous food. Our only hope is that we have this faithful, powerful shepherd Who is indeed a GOOD Shepherd, one Who brings us what is truly and spiritually good, and ultimately makes us ethically and morally good.

Jesus, The Good Shepherd, Pt 2

This name is present in the Fourth Gospel and is implicit in the Synoptic tradition.  It is implied in the statement of Mark, after the crossing of the lake, that Jesus had compassion on the multitude 'because there were as sheep not having  shepherd (Matthew 9:34); and in His quotation of Zechariah 13:7, on the way to the Mount of Olives, "I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered abroad" (Matthew 26:31).  His command to the Twelve, "Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 10:6), and in His saying, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). 

In the Fourth Gospel the title appears in the well known words, "I am the Good Shepherd" (John 10: 11,14) and it is suggested when Jesus says that He lays down His life for the sheep (vs. 15), and has "other sheep" He must bring, and that they shall become "one flock, one shepherd" (10:16).  His sheep, He declares, hear His voice, and no one shall snatch them out of His hand (10:27f); and to Simon Peter He says, "Feed my lambs", "Tend my sheep", "Feed my sheep" (21:15-17)

While we can hardly call the title a technical name for the Messiah, it has distinct Messianic associations.  These ideas are the undertone of the New Testament passages which describe one who leads and rules his people in mercy and love, and who saves them at the cost of his life.  Without embodying a formal claim to speak of a divine Savior and Lord, the title is in full agreement with those which openly give Jesus this status and function. 

Gracious Holy Spirit make real in me the very presence of this Good Shepherd who wishes to bring quietness, serenity, strength, and calmness in the face of frustrations and futility!

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