Good Shepherd

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

John 10:11

Although this title occurs only in the tenth chapter of John, few are as well known. The Good Shepherd is found in the name of countless local churches and has been found in early Christian art from the second century.

Depictions of a young shepherd carrying a lamb on his shoulders have been found on the walls of the catacombs of Rome and are among the most common symbolic representations of Christ.  In those early centuries of the church, believers hid in caves and risked death to be a disciple of Jesus.  Focusing on the Good Shepherd who loved them unto death surely was a comfort and encouragement in the darkness.

Most people in this modern urban society don’t have a clue about the details of a shepherd’s job description. They certainly did in the Roman Empire. Shepherds had the thankless job of caring for poor, smelly, helpless critters that were too dumb to take care of themselves.  Left on their own, sheep soon die because they can’t find their own food and water, nor can they protect themselves from predators.

Isaiah 53:6 connects the dots: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”  We are those stupid, stubborn animals that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gave His life to save and care for.

                             The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

                             He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

                             He leads me beside the still waters.

                             He restores my soul;

                             He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

                                                          Psalm 23:1-3