Anchor My Faith

I Am the Good Shepherd

Scripture: John 10:11

In the previous lesson we considered the thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy and then we compared it to what Jesus had to offer in comparison. As a believer it is hard for me to imagine why so many desire to follow the thief into destruction when they could come to Jesus and have abundant eternal life. We have also spent time learning about Jesus being the door of the sheep. In this lesson we will look at the claim Jesus makes about being the good shepherd.

^{Jn 10:11} “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

This is the fourth of seven “I AM” claims Jesus makes as recorded in the Gospel of John. So far, we have looked at “I am the bread of life,” “I am the light of the world,” and “I am the door of the sheep.” As the good shepherd, Jesus is contrasted with unfaithful shepherds who will come under God’s judgment. We find this contrast in the Old Testament. An example of a good shepherd is given in Isaiah 40:11 ESV: “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”

In Jeremiah 23:1 – 4 ESV is an example of bad shepherds: ¹ “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. ² Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord. ³ Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. ⁴ I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord.”

Other examples to consider at are Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34, and Zechariah 11:4 – 17. David and Moses were considered good shepherds, but Jesus as God and man is their fulfillment. An example for David is found in 2 Samuel 5:2 ESV: “In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.’” Other examples to consider are Psalms 78:70 – 72, Ezekiel 37:24, and Micah 5:4. An example for Moses is found in Isaiah 63:11 ESV: “Then he remembered the days of old, of Moses and his people. Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put in the midst of them his Holy Spirit.”

A characteristic of a good shepherd is his willingness to lay down his life for the sheep. We saw this characteristic in David in 1 Samuel 17:34 – 37 ESV: ³⁴ “But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, ³⁵ I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. ³⁶ Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” ³⁷ And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”’ As a good shepherd, Jesus surpassed David in that he gave his life on the cross for his sheep.

Conclusion

In countries of persecution, there are many pastors of small flocks of believers, who as shepherds, have given their lives in standing faithful before the Lord. Jesus died on the cross for us. How much are you willing to sacrifice for him as you live out the gospel before others.