One of my most prominent and early memories from childhood at church involves learning Jesus’ words from John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd.” I recall memorizing Psalm 23, making crafts of sheep using fluffy cotton balls, and shaping my image of Jesus as a gentle shepherd in an idyllic pasture. Jesus is compared to a shepherd numerous times throughout the New Testament—some examples include:

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36).

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever (Hebrews 13:20-21).

For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls (1 Peter 2:25).

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; “he will lead them to springs of living water.” “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17).

We know that Jesus is referred to as the good shepherd, but do we know why? As someone with only a base knowledge of sheep and shepherding, I know the role of a shepherd is to lead the flock and to keep the sheep safe. But there’s more to it than that. Through this blog, we’ll follow the words of John 10:11-18 and Psalm 23 to understand how Jesus is our own good shepherd.

Sacrificial Love

John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

The foundational quality of being a shepherd is sacrificial love. Shepherding in biblical times was often a lonely and difficult job. Day and night, a lone shepherd would ensure the health and safety of the flock. This kind of commitment could not exist without love being an important factor. The shepherd loves his sheep; the shepherd knows the value of his sheep, and because of this, he is willing to lay down his life to protect his flock. Jesus proved this to us by going to the cross and dying for our sins, and because of that, we can rest knowing that we are part of Jesus’ flock.

Provision and Care

The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own 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 (John 10:12-13).

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul (Psalm 23:1-3).

A shepherd provides for his sheep. He provides fresh water, nutritious food, and a place to safely rest. In a Today devotion on Psalm 23, Rev. Lesli van Milligan writes this about sheep:

They need to be led to still waters because they can’t drink safely from fast-moving streams. They can’t predict when the grass will run out and when they need to move to new pastures. Often there are holes in the ground that dangerous snakes can shelter in, and sheep do not suspect that they could be bitten.

Like sheep, we often don’t know what’s best for us or what we need. But God always knows. We are sometimes told to wait, even in the hardest of times, because God will provide. “I lack nothing” because God cares for me.

Leadership and Guidance

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 10:14-15).

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:3-4).

Think about jobs that you’ve enjoyed, and bosses that you liked. What made them a great boss? Good leaders know their people; they empathize with and support their staff. A good leader knows names, remembers important details, and is overall fully engaged with the lives of their subordinates. The job of a shepherd is to be a leader, and it’s important that a shepherd knows each of their sheep individually. In Matthew 18:12-13, Jesus tells the parable of the wandering sheep: “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.” There is trust happening both ways: trust from the shepherd that they will search for his wayward sheep, and trust from the sheep that the shepherd will find them. We, too, can trust that Jesus knows us and cares for us well enough that he will look for us. Jesus earned our trust by dying on the cross, and we can stand firmly in faith that when we’re lost, he will find us.

Sometimes we veer off course or find ourselves going through dark times when faith and trust don’t feel like enough. When times are hard, we can remember that our shepherd is always beside us and guiding us. In biblical times, shepherds often carried very few items, but these few items did include the precious rod and staff. The rod could be used as a weapon for protection, but the staff served as a way to help maneuver sheep. When we step off course, we need only remember the words of Psalm 23: “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Jesus will always protect us and guide us down the right path.

Inclusion and Generosity

I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd (John 10:16).

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:5-6).

A shepherd loves, provides for, cares for, leads, and guides his flock. The shepherd is fiercely loyal to his sheep, and his sheep to him. In John 10, Jesus references those outside of his flock as belonging to him as well. Even if we feel like outsiders at times or that we don’t belong with the rest of the sheep, Jesus reminds us that we always belong with him. Jesus’ kingdom includes everyone. Our sins have been forgiven, and we are always welcome back. Like a shepherd searching for his lost sheep, we know that Jesus is always seeking a relationship with us. We are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (1 Peter 2:9). We are anointed, we are loved, and we are welcomed to be united with Jesus forever.

Imitators of Jesus

Jesus is the good shepherd because he possesses the characteristics of a shepherd: he is a leader, a guide, a protector, a caregiver, generous, loyal, trustworthy, and most importantly, infinitely loving and forgiving. We, too, can be like Jesus by imitating these qualities. Think about your own life. Are you the leader of your family, a faith community, small group, or a work setting? How can you show these same qualities and demonstrate what it means to be a good shepherd to others who may not know Jesus? Rest in the knowledge that you “lack nothing,” that the Lord will provide, and that you, too, have the opportunity to demonstrate shepherding in your own community.