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Jesus as Shepherd

Over the years, many artists have made attempts at rendering the likeness of Jesus. Perhaps the more common theme they choose is Jesus as the good shepherd. It provides almost endless possibilities especially since the Lord’s tenderness toward His spiritual flock can come through so clearly in an artistic portrayal of a shepherd caring for his animals.

The classic passage depicting Jesus as a shepherd is John chapter ten. Here are some key verses: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:11-15 NIV)

The depiction of Jesus as the good shepherd is especially significant to those who have ever owned a herd of domestic animals. The concept of ownership is especially important, because, as the passage points out explicitly, the owner of the sheep has a different concept of the flock than does someone hired to tend them. More than that, it is safe to say that the shepherd who owns the sheep has a different relationship with them than does the hired hand.

The hired hand focusses on his own ends – specifically getting paid. Some shepherds are chiefly concerned with production and are prepared to neglect the well-being of individual animals to attain their goal. A good shepherd, the term applied to Jesus, is concerned with building up his flock. He gives each animal its best chance to thrive. He is willing to sacrifice his own comfort and safety for his sheep, individually as well as collectively. This is emphasized in Luke 15 where the shepherd goes out into the wilderness to pursue one lost sheep.

The image of the divine shepherd gently leading and caring for His flock is one of the word pictures which makes the leap from the old covenant to the new. In the Old Testament, God reveals Himself as the shepherd of His people. In one of the best-known and loved passages of all the Bible, David responds to that image by recognizing the Lord as his shepherd.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. (Psalm 23 NIV)

When I think of Jesus as the good shepherd, I relax. All a good sheep needs to do is what the shepherd directs it to do. If I wait for his leading, He will protect me even in the most dangerous places. Spiritual abundance is the blessing of all who can claim the good shepherd as their own.

Ron Hughes
© December 2007