The Good Shepherd

In John 10, Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd. What does that mean?

The Good Shepherd, Jesus, is Committed to the Sheep.
Commitment means being responsible. Back in those days, being a shepherd was no easy task. He often had to lead the sheep to pastures so that they could have their fill and not be undernourished. This meant travelling great distances. (Genesis 37:17). He also had to defend them from wild animals such as wolves, bears, lions etc. (1 Samuel 17:37).

If that was not all, he also had to find lost sheep that had strayed away. (Isaiah 53:6). The shepherd had to literally live with the sheep. It was very hard work and a thankless job.

Living in modern times, we might not fully understand what it meant to be a shepherd, but Jesus fully knew what He was talking about when He declared Himself to be our Shepherd.

The Good Shepherd, Jesus Owns the Sheep.
“To him, the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out…But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees….” (John 10:3, 12).

‘Calling his own sheep by name’ speaks of an intimate relationship. ‘Leading them out’ speaks of direction and guidance. Whatever you are facing today, know that you belong to Him, and He will take care of you.

Lord Jesus Christ is my Shepherd, and hence I shall lack no supply or provision. Amen.