The Great Shepherd
A Lenten Reflection on Jesus' I Am Statements
A childhood memory stirs up thoughts of the great Shepherd. Visiting a friend whose family raised sheep, my companion and I toured the barn. We noticed a lamb’s small, woolen frame tucked in a nest of golden straw. Alone and isolated from the other sheep, a heating lamp warmed his small pen.
“Where is his mother,” I asked.
My friend, accustomed to the ways of ranching, shrugged her shoulders, “She didn’t want him. He’s a bum lamb.”
“Poor baby,” I crooned, my throat tightening. I knew the sting of feeling unwanted.
“We’ll take care of him. He’ll be all right.”
I’ve never forgotten that bum lamb. His beginning reminds me that many have been abandoned, left behind, or isolated. But the care he received from my friend and her family—modern-day shepherds.
What Did Jesus Mean When He Said, “I am the good Shepherd”?
A crowd gathered as the man who performed miracles said, “I am the gate of the sheep” (John 10:7).
A shepherd nodded in understanding but the Pharisees scoffed, “You’re speaking foolishness.”
His penetrating gaze settled on each of the teachers before He said, “I am the good Shepherd”.
The group inhaled, collectively shocked by Christ’s boldness. Everyone knew the words of Ezekiel and King David, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Christ’s statement shattered the religious paradigm of the faithful Jewish believers who expected the Messiah to arrive as a man who would set Israel free of Roman domination. Instead, “I am the good Shepherd” meant that Christ was (and is):
the shelter
the sacrifice
the Savior
How is the Great Shepherd Our Shelter?
In the last post, we discovered that “ancient sheepfolds were designed without a gate, and because predators or thieves might attack the sheep at night, one shepherd would lay across the entrance as the gate to the pen. He protected the sheep from danger—even stepping into harm’s way on their behalf.”
Jesus offers us the same protection. As His sheep, we receive shelter in the Lord’s heavenly sheepfold. The Strongman, impotent against the great Shepherd, is refused to access those in His care.
How is the Great Shepherd Our Sacrifice?
In a twist to the holy plotline, the great Shepherd also became our sacrifice—offering Himself as a substitute for my sins and yours. Sin, both intentional and unintentional, creates a gap in our relationship with God. Since the earliest times, God instituted sacrifice as a means of forgiveness.
The shed blood of an animal—often an unblemished lamb–was of great value to the Lord. Consider Leviticus 17:11, For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.’
When Christ offered Himself on the cross, He became the divinely human representation of the “continual sacrifice” mentioned in Exodus 29:38-46.
“The one who knew no sin, became sin” (2 Cor. 5:21) and “gave his life as a ransom in the place of many” (Mark 10:45) that we might live free of condemnation as recipients of His extravagant grace.
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How is the Great Shepherd Our Savior?
John 10:17-18 reminds us of Christ’s incredible, unmatched mercy, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself.”
Prophesying about His horrific death, Jesus offers insight into the destination and purpose of His ministry. Later, Jesus confirms that He has come as Savior to give eternal life to those who know His voice. (John 10:27-28)
Traits of the Good Shepherd Based on Ezekiel 34 (& Corresponding Verses)
The Good Shepherd:
strengthens the weak. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29 NIV)
heals the sick. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10:38 NIV)
binds up the injured. The Spirit of the Lord Godis upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound… (Isaiah 61:1 NIV)
seeks out the lost. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. (Luke 19:10 NIV)
rules with justice. and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron, as the vessels ofthe potter are broken in pieces–just as I also have received from My Father. ( Rev. 2:27 Berean Study Bible)
leads His sheep. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23 KJV)
feeds His sheep—meeting all of their needs. I am the bread of life. (John 6:35)
keeps the sheep secure. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4 KJV)
protects His sheep from predators. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (Psalm 23:5 KJV)
Dear one, do you bear the marks of heartache, loss, or loneliness? Do you yearn for a love that outlasts any other? Christ calls you into the fold and whispers words of hope over you. Come to Him. Rest in His presence.
In the Lord’s kingdom, every lamb belongs to the great Shepherd.
This was beautiful imagery of the Shepherd, thank you for sharing the scriptures also. (One of my favorite books that takes a deep dive into the Good Shepherd is “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” by Phillip Keller).
Many years ago I attended the funeral of a woman who exuded the love of Jesus to everyone. As the pastor spoke, he showed us a stuffed lamb that belonged to the deceased woman. Anne had kept it in her car to remind her the Lamb of God was always with her. After that, I began to collect lambs. I have lambs in my car and in our home. Others who I've told this story now have lambs of their own.