Jesus - The Good Shepherd

What does it mean that Jesus is our Good Shepherd? What are the implications that we are like sheep? What does it mean that God calls himself the Good Shepherd of the sheep?

The Bible is filled with sheep and shepherding images. Good leaders are often referred to as good shepherds. People are often equated with sheep in the Bible. Many of the Bible’s leaders, kings, and heroes were shepherds of sheep. The Bible often equates bad leadership with bad shepherds.

In the Book of Isaiah, God speaks through his prophet Isaiah saying, "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." (Isaiah 53:6, ESV).

God compares his people to sheep who have gone astray in our brokenness and sin. God shows the coming messiah as a good shepherd who has taken on himself the wickedness of us all.

In John’s Gospel account, Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11, ESV).

Jesus came to save lost sheep. Jesus is the Good Shepherd of the Sheep. Jesus came to lay his life down to serve and to save his people—his sheep.

May we see Jesus as our Good Shepherd who has laid down his life for us—his lost sheep. May we see that when we have gone astray, our Good Shepherd has taken our sins upon himself.

A Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Easter: Good Shepherd: “O God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd of your people: Grant that, when we hear his voice, we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019).