The Good Shepherd
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. (John 10:11)
It was a beautiful declaration, and Jesus said it so plainly there could be no mistake what He meant. Jesus Christ fulfills the ideal of shepherd-like care for the people of God as illustrated in the Old Testament and in the broader culture. As the good shepherd, Jesus stands in contrast to the “thief” (John 10:10) and the “hireling” (John 10:12-13) who don’t care for the sheep, only for themselves.
What Jesus described as a good shepherd is a very remarkable shepherd. Shepherds may take risks for the safety of the sheep, but it is probably rare to find one who would willingly die for their sheep.
As the good shepherd, Jesus gives His life for the sheep. Significantly, the verb gives is in the present sense; He said gives and not gave. This is because Jesus is always giving for His people and to His people. Laying down His life at the cross was the most important way Jesus gave to His people, but He keeps on giving to them as He lives and intercedes for them from heaven (Hebrews 7:25).
The good shepherd doesn’t merely give his opinion for the sheep, or give helpful suggestions, or give encouragement. Instead, the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. A bad shepherd will not defend the sheep and thinks the flock exists for his benefit, but the good shepherd lives and dies for the good of the sheep.
– The good shepherd sacrifices for the sheep (gives His life).
– The good shepherd knows his sheep (I know My sheep, John 10:14). We think of sheep as being all the same. The shepherd knows they are individuals with their own personalities and characteristics.
– The good shepherd is known by the sheep (and am known by My own, John 10:14).
Today, a faithful pastor will, as an under-shepherd of Jesus Christ, display the same characteristics as the good shepherd. A faithful pastor will sacrifice for the sheep, know the sheep, and be known by them. A faithful pastor will be a shepherd and not a hireling who does not care about the sheep. Pastors can never hope to display these characteristics to the same extent as Jesus, but they should reflect the heart and purpose that Jesus lived out as the good shepherd.
The title pastor translates the same ancient word used here for shepherd. It is a title that is only rightfully earned, not granted or assumed. A man can’t simply declare himself a true pastor or shepherd of God’s people. That man must display the heart and actions that show he truly follows the pattern of the good shepherd, Jesus Christ.
Most of us are not pastors who serve as shepherds for God’s people. But every one of us – including those considered pastors – need a shepherd, and we need Jesus Christ to be our good shepherd. Receive what Jesus gave and keeps giving to His people.
Click here for David’s commentary on John 10