The Good Shepherd

Perhaps among the imagery in Scripture, the picture of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is dearest to my heart. Pastor Bob Amigo preached from John 10 last Sunday, and it left me stunned, overjoyed, and at the brink of tears for most of the time.

To deeply appreciate this passage, we must understand what Eastern shepherds did during those times. They treated their flock as their own; the shepherds' greatest possession was their sheep. Because sheep are such dumb creatures, any good shepherd should guide them: to the freshest streams of water, to the best pasture where they can graze, to the safest land where they can rest. The shepherds also risk their lives to protect their flock—from attacks of wolves or robbers—and are therefore always at guard, even at night.

The sheep are powerless without the shepherd. They're not smart. They're prone to diseases. They're easily frightened. But despite these, the shepherd cares for and comforts them.

The imagery is powerful, especially as I realize that I am one of the sheep—a stupid and often frightened creature—and Jesus is my shepherd. This relationship is personal, as David so eloquently wrote in Psalm 23:1—The Lord was his Shepherd. For clearly, Jesus claimed that He is the Good Shepherd, and He gives His life for the sheep (John 10:11).

What a Savior!