Pastor's Corner: The Good Shepherd

God all through the Bible is shown to be the Shepherd of His people. Jacob testified that it was “God who has been my Shepherd all my life long to this day”Genesis 48:15b). In Psalm 23, David the shepherd declared, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”The Lord is our perfect Shepherd, giving guidance, providing nourishment, rest, restoration and comfort. In Ezekiel 34, the Lord rebukes the bad shepherds or leaders of Israel for neglecting their duties. But then the Lord declares, “I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out” (11b). A prophecy is given that the Messiah will come and save the flock: “My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd” (23b). This is exactly what Jesus Christ did, finding the people in His day spiritually wandering like sheep, not having a shepherd (Mark 6:34b).

All of us like sheep are prone to wander spiritually and go our own way in sin (Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:23). We need a perfect shepherd to guide us, provide for us and protect us. Jesus revealed He is the Messianic shepherd who was prophesied, the Son of God sent to shepherd and to give eternal life to His people.

Jesus said that the Good Shepherd guards the door to the sheep pen (John 10:1-10). In ancient times, there would be a pen with fences or walls and one entrance. The shepherd calls each sheep by name and leads them into the safety of the sheep pen (2-4). The Good Shepherd guards against robbers, wild animals and strangers entering the pen to harm or steal the sheep (1, 5, 8). The unrepentant and spiritual predators do not enter.

The illustration is that Jesus is the door, the only way of salvation and it is entered by faith. “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (9).

The Good Shepherd Jesus Christ knows the sheep in close personal relationship (14-15). Believers know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, as High Priest and intercessor, as guide, protector and provider (Philippians 3:8; Hebrews 4:14-16; 2 Peter 3:18). Jesus willingly laid down His life for the sheep (11, 15). This speaks of Jesus Christ sacrificing His life on the cross to pay for sins, offer forgiveness and secure eternal life (Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Peter 3:18). Jesus had the power to take up His life again, speaking of His resurrection and the resurrection life offered to all who believe (1 Corinthians 15). Jesus the Good Shepherd was on the mission of uniting all people in salvation in Himself, making them one flock under one shepherd (16; Ephesians 2:14-3:7).

Have you believed in Him? Then you receive the guidance, protection and provision of the Good Shepherd who cares for your soul. Do you know Him? Then you have eternal life. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28). "For you were like sheep going astray, but now have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25).