Jesus, the Good Shepherd
Scripture Reading — John 10:11-18
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me … I lay down my life for the sheep.”
John 10:14-15
Psalm 23, one of the best-known passages of the Bible, presents the Lord as the great shepherd who cares for his sheep—and Jesus declared that he is that shepherd.
The preceding psalm, Psalm 22, describes prophetically many details of Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus connected his death to this psalm as he cried out from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1; Mark 15:34). (See also Psalm 22:7-18, 22-25.)
Jesus is the good and supreme shepherd. He died in our place so that we could have eternal life with God.
As the good shepherd, he gives us provision, direction, and fellowship. He is the one who leads us to green pastures and still waters. He is the one who guides us in righteousness and walks with us through dark times. He is the one who gives us victory over our enemies. (See Psalm 23.)
He promises to walk with us here and to receive us when we leave this life and go to live with him (John 14:1-2).
As the supreme shepherd, Jesus will return in majesty and glory, and he will bring his glorious kingdom to fill the whole earth and make it new (Revelation 21:1-7).
Are you one of Jesus Christ’s sheep? Do you hear his voice? Are you ready to follow him?
Eternal God, I have relief, peace, and security, knowing that you are my shepherd. Help me submit to your will and rest entirely in your care. In your name I pray. Amen.
About the author — Hernandes Lopes
Rev. Hernandes Dias Lopes grew up in a Christian home in Brazil. Following his 1981 graduation from Seminário Presbiteriano do Sul in Campinas, Brazil, he served two congregations of the Presbyterian Church in Brazil. In 2000, he earned a doctor of ministry degree from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. Rev. Lopes has been the voice of the television program Verdade e Vida (“Truth and Life”) since 2006. In 2010 he was appointed Portuguese ministry leader for Back to God Ministries International. Rev. Lopes and his wife, Tinha, have two college-age children.
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