The Claims of Jesus Christ
8 - The Good Shepherd
This time we are going back to John’s Gospel chapter 10 to look at another claim that Jesus made for Himself. In this chapter He describes Himself as “The Good Shepherd.” It really is a wonderful description of Him, especially as the word used for “good” means more than generally good. It does mean that, but it means also all that is lovely and delightful. Jesus is the Good Shepherd in that way.
Then the Good Shepherd reminds us of Psalm 23. Let’s remind ourselves of the words of that Psalm:
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing. 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 mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
This Psalm is a very real description of what the shepherd does for his sheep and what the Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd, does for those who trust in Him. He cares for us. He makes us lie down in lush pastures and leads us beside still waters. He knows where the best places are for our comfort, strength and help, and He leads us to them.
Then He also provides for us, “I shall not lack anything”, says the Psalmist. I shall not be without anything I really need. The Good Shepherd provides a table of good things for me even in the presence of my enemies, even, that is, when things are difficult and hard. Right then, when all seems most wrong, my cup runs over. He gives me the peace and comfort we have discovered already in this series of studies. When we most need it, He gives us an overflow of his blessing in our hearts. It is this overflow, which brings blessing to others.
Then He protects us as well. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” says the Psalmist. The idea is not limited to death, it can also mean “the valley of deep darkness.” Remember, it is a Psalm about a shepherd. Now shepherds in Israel had to lead their sheep through many deep, dark valleys. They were far from pleasant and were often the haunts of robbers. So, you see, the Psalmist could have been thinking of the valley of death, but he could also be thinking of any of the other dark and difficult times through which we have to pass in life. Even here the Good Shepherd is with us to protect us in every dark valley, and will not leave us in the final dark valley of death. And as for the Psalmist so for us, the Good Shepherd will provide goodness and mercy all the days of our life, and when life is over He will take us to be with Himself, in his presence forever.
Then notice what else Jesus says about Himself as the Good Shepherd. In John 10:11, Jesus says that “the Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”; and He says it again in verse 15. This reminds us of what John the Baptist said about Jesus when he saw Him: “Look! The Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world.” You will find this in John 1 verse 29.
The Good Shepherd wants to care and provide for us and to protect us, but He knows there is a great barrier between us and God, which stands in the way of His being able to care for us, as He wants. This barrier is sin and unless He deals with that and takes it away, He cannot do for us all He wishes. But He was willing to lay down His life for us, to bear our sin, so that we need not bear it and so it need no longer be a barrier between us and God. It was something that Jesus did deliberately for us. His purpose in becoming a man was to die for us. He says in verse 18 that no one takes his life from Him, but that He lays it down of his own free will. He did this so that we might belong to Him as his sheep, and so that He might be our shepherd.
Just two other points to notice about the Good Shepherd and his sheep. In Biblical times the idea of shepherd meant more than care. It meant also, rule and lordship. In Old Testament times, to be the shepherd of the flock of Israel was to be their ruler. The sheep’s protection and care lay entirely in its obedience to the shepherd. Jesus is the one who cares for us and protects his own. In the Psalms the people of God are described as “the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 100 verse 3).
In verse 27 we are told that the Good Shepherd knows his sheep. He knows them individually. Like many shepherds today who can pick out individual sheep from the whole flock, although to the untrained eye they all look the same, the Saviour knows his own. He knows who they are that believe on him. Christian, He knows all about you, your circumstances and needs. You are not just one sheep among thousands or millions, but you are known personally by the Good Shepherd.
This leads us to the other point. In verses 27 and 28 Jesus tells us what his sheep are like. He says they “hear His voice and follow Him.” The sure sign that we are his sheep is that we are following Him, listening to his voice, and doing what He says. Those who belong to Him, He will keep and they will never perish. Here is the eternal security of the believer.
Our salvation does not depend on our own efforts but solely on the death of the Lord Jesus. It is by the grace of God that we are saved, through faith. It is not by anything we can do. Our part is to keep on believing and trusting and to show this by the way we live.
I wonder whether you are among Christ’s sheep, someone who has been pardoned and received eternal life. If you are, He is your Good Shepherd and what a wonderful shepherd He is! Make sure you are one of His sheep.