"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads 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 shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Psalms 23
Jesus has many familiar titles and descriptions. But the image I grew up having of Jesus, and the one that still resonates most with me, is of a shepherd. I guess because I know what it feels like to be that lost sheep, the one who wandered down the wrong path and got stuck on the side of a cliff. I also know what it's like to feel the gentle rod and staff of my shepherd pull me back to safety. I've been rescued. More than once. So I finally decided to do my own study on Jesus as a shepherd. And I thought I would share what I've learned.
What is a Shepherd?
"What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?"
Matthew 18:12
For ancient shepherds, it wasn't just a 9-5 job. For them, shepherding was a way of life. And they faced many challenges. Often they risked their own lives to protect the flock. Good shepherds took time to teach their sheep to know his voice and obey his commands. This was for their own protection, as the sheep would learn to respond to the shepherd if they were lost or in danger. Good shepherds took tender care of the animals in their charge, even giving them names. Good shepherds were attentive, reliable, and brave. Each evening, the shepherd counted the sheep and checked their health. In the morning, the flock would follow him to the pasture. He would spend many nights sleeping under the stars with His sheep. I love the image of the shepherd and his sheep. It's so tender and intimate. A sheep, totally helpless without the shepherd to guide it. And a shepherd, in full devotion, forsaking all else, for his little sheep.
Shepherds in the Bible
"I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak."
Ezekiel 34:15-16
I don't think it's a coincidence that many of the heroes of the Bible were shepherds. Abel, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph and his brothers, Moses, and David were all shepherds. Maybe they're types meant to help God's people recognize and trust The Good Shepherd one day. Able, being the very first shepherd, was innocently slain by his brother. Much like Jesus being sentenced to death by the leaders of His own people. Joseph was a shepherd, also betrayed by His own brothers. And later exalted as a king (well, basically a king). Similarly, Christ will soon return as king. Moses was a shepherd who delivered his people out of slavery. Jesus is our shepherd who delivers us from sin and sets us free. David was a man after God's own heart. A shepherd and a king. Just like Jesus, who will one day reign as King of kings on David's own throne. And when Christ himself was born, it was to the shepherds that the angels announced the birth of the Savior. Obviously everything in the Bible is important. But I think that if there is a reoccurring theme, maybe we should pay special attention to it. God is a God of purpose and design after all. And it seems to me He wants us to understand the significance of the humble and faithful shepherd.
Jehovah Rohi: the Good, the Great, the Chief Shepherd
John 10:11
"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. Amen."
Hebrews 13:20-21
"And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away."
1 Peter 5:4
Jehovah Rohi is one of the many names of God. It means "The Good Shepherd." The word Rohi can also be translated as "companion or friend". This beautifully expresses the goodness and intimacy of sharing life with Jesus. As our shepherd and friend, He walks beside us through every mountain and valley of life. Jesus is the good Shepherd indeed. With gentleness, He governs us for our good. He guides us and provides for us. He protects us from evil. If we lose our way, He seeks us out and brings us back. If we're broken, He binds us up. If we're wounded, He heals us. He is such a good shepherd that He sacrificed His own life for all His sheep. He died as the good shepherd, but in resurrection He became the Great Shepherd. For He defeated death for His flock. He is the Great Shepherd to whom if we place our trust in, we shall live -- forever. And finally He is the Chief Shepherd. So our Shepherd was good in His dying, great in His rising, and will be chief of many other shepherds in His return -- as every pastor or teacher, anyone of us, who has fed His sheep are with Him. All of us who have in any way contributed towards the guidance of His flock, we shall appear with Him. And once again, we see His goodness. Not wanting to be alone in glory. However undeserving we might be, He wants us there with Him, too. A good shepherd always wants His sheep close.
Earthly Shepherds
"And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding."
Jeremiah 3:15
"So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. "
1 Peter 5:1-3
"Look after yourselves and everyone the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be like shepherds to God's church. It is the flock He bought with the blood of His own Son."
Acts 20:28
Shortly after His resurrection, Jesus took Peter aside and asked him three times if he loved Him. Each time Peter said yes. And each time Jesus's response was "then feed my sheep." We know Jesus loved His flock. But He was leaving soon to go back to His father in heaven. So He asked His dear friend to take care of His sheep. That is how Peter was to love Jesus. We are each one so precious to our Savior. And certainly He watches over and guides us through His Holy Spirit. But it also seems that He has appointed certain people in each of our lives to look after us, too. Earthly shepherds. Peter was the first. And he wrote the above scripture about the duties and relationships of shepherds and their sheep.
For many biblical truths or promises, there is an earthly model for us to learn from. A shepherd being one of them. The word pastor literally means shepherd. A shepherd is also defined as someone who the Lord raises up to care for His flock. We probably all have mentors and teachers and pastors in our lives. People God likely put in our lives to teach and guide us. Although this is an idea that has been declining through the years. As many people either don't attend church anymore or feel disconnected from their church leaders. It's a little sad, and we can see through the moral decay and rebellion that something has gone wrong. We're supposed to have elders in our lives we can trust. Ones who follow Christ. It's scriptural. We need the guidance from those who have gone before us. Like Joshua learning from Moses, or Elijah mentoring Elisha, or Paul instructing Timothy. But it's a statistical fact, my generation, and the ones after me, are abandoning their Christian upbringing. Or at least not connecting to a church. Which means many of us are left feeling lost and confused. Finding it difficult to wade through the many deceptions. We need shepherds to help us sort through it all. Admittedly, I myself have spent the last decade church hopping. With large chunks of that time not attending anywhere regularly. I go every Sunday now (or almost) for my kids. We've only been going to our current church for a few months. When you don't have time to settle in somewhere, it's hard to think of the pastor as your shepherd. It seems hard to trust someone you don't know. But I'm blessed to have my mom and several mature Christian women in my life. I have a pastor from my youth who I still trust as a shepherd. And a good dad with a shepherd's heart. A dad who doesn't just want me to be happy but wants me to find purpose and truth and the right path. I connect and relate and learn from each of these people in a different way. And I recognize them for who they are. Shepherds. Good earthly shepherds should point us to our Chief Shepherd, Jesus. Shepherds are meant to guide, not be the source of all our revelation and learning. I have come to understand this. As many times I have taken the wisdom imparted to me from them and found it for myself in the Word to receive full clarity and understanding. And through their guidance, I have been able to recognize a shepherd's heart within myself. I have love and compassion for Jesus's flock. And I often find myself trying to encourage and guide the people God put in my life. If you're feeling lost or confused, find someone you can trust. Someone you feel safe with. Someone you know is led by the Lord. I don't think it necessarily has to be a pastor (but it can be). It could be a parent or grandparent or friend or church leader. Ask them for guidance. They'll probably be happy to help. They've probably already been praying for you.
The Flock
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me"
John 10:14
"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young."
Isaiah 40:11
The sheep is an animal of many diseases and many needs. And so it seems that it is a fitting metaphor for a Christian, as we are a people with many sins and many infirmities. Prone to choose the wrong path without the guidance of our shepherd. Sheep are vulnerable and easily led astray. So it's imperative that a flock stay together and close to the shepherd. If one wanders off, on its own it will easily get lost and become bewildered. Leaving the lone sheep virtually helpless. But not forgotten or forsaken. For we have a good shepherd who never forgets His own.
John chapters 10 and 17 really help us understand what it means to be part of the Jesus's flock. We were given to Him by God. We belong to Him. We are His own. We are in Him and He is in us. He doesn't love us because we're perfect or because we deserve it. He loves us because we are His. I've always sort of known Jesus as my shepherd. Only now, with some help, am I coming to the full understanding of what it means to be part of His flock. It is a place of perfect unity and security. No one can snatch us out of His hand.
I know some of us might not like to think of ourselves as weak, feeble sheep. But it's not about us. It's about our shepherd and all that He is and all that He will do for us. He really will be everything a good shepherd can be -- making himself every moment responsible for our well being and safety. If we are filled with large thoughts of the shepherd we will be strong sheep, abiding confidently in Him. It is when we acknowledge our weakness that we can find the joy and strength in the shepherd that keeps us. This seems simple enough and yet somehow very difficult. We can't earn the shepherds love and care. We don't have to prove ourselves worthy or have an extraordinary amount of faith. We don't have to impress Him with our great and marvelous works. We just have to be His and trust Him. I have spent many years exploring different doctrines and denominations. I had a hunger to know the most I could about this Christian life. Ironically, in my search for more wisdom, I lost sight of the simple yet very important truth. I am His. And that is a most wonderful truth indeed.
While I've been writing this post, all my kids have had the flu. At the same time. If you're a parent, you know how difficult it is to take care of sick kids. We run on empty and go without sleep. We hurt to see them hurt. And worry when their fever won't come down. We also have many moments of extreme irritation when they refuse to eat anything or take their medicine. Or when fights erupt over who gets the best spot on the couch or who gets to watch their TV show first. And somehow everyone's frustrations get taken out on us, the innocent caregivers -- the ones making them soup and jello and wiping their noses. Difficult situations can bring out the worst in all of us. One of the nights during all the chaos, my youngest was running a high fever and wanted me to snuggle her. I was tired. All I wanted to do was close my eyes. But instead I laid down with my daughter. I was happy to hold her, wipe her nose, and get her tylenol and water all through the night. I prayed quiet prayers over her little body, that was so hot from the fever it was actually making me sweat. As I laid there with her, that still small voice, you know the one, said, "You don't love and care for them because they deserve it. You love them because they're yours." Our God is so good. Sometimes meeting us in our darkest moments, using the most difficult situations to teach us His ways and show us His goodness. He loves us because we're His.
The Shepherd's Voice
"The sheep hear His voice, and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. / My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."
John 10:3, 27
Very few times and very few people have heard the audible voice of God. It's just not usually how He speaks to us. The Holy Spirit is not loud. His voice is soft and gentle. A whisper. Have you ever noticed that the word "hear" is in the word "heart." It makes sense that it is because we hear our Shepherd in our hearts. We hear His voice as our own, but different somehow. With authority and tenderness. Leaving an impression and burning in our hearts. Often He will speak to us with His own Word, bringing to mind a scripture we didn't even know we knew. He also speaks to us through circumstances, convictions, and guidance from mature Christian friends. Whatever we are hearing should always harmonize with scripture. The Shepherd's own Word is our guide. It is what will lead us into a closer walk with Him. It is His Word that will help us recognize error when we hear it. It is His Word, planted in our hearts, that will be the loudest and truest voice.
The Adversary
"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings."
1 Peter 5:8-9
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you."
James 4:7-8
I don't want to say too much here. Our adversary doesn't deserve our time or a place in my blog. Other than how to defeat him. And the truth is, he has already been defeated. But he still likes to creep and prowl around to scare us, throw us off course, or bring negative thoughts into our minds. But we can resist him. And as we draw near to God and stay close to the shepherd, the devil will flee. And each time he comes back to bother us, we can resist him. Every time. And draw near to God. Every time. Stay close to the shepherd. He is mighty to save.
The Path
"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand."
Psalms 37:23-24
"I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you."
Psalms 32:8
"For we are His workmanship (His own master work, a work of art), created in Christ Jesus (reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used) for good works, which God prepared (for us) beforehand (taking paths which He set), so that we would walk in them (living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us)."
Ephesians 2:10
"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. "
Hebrews 12:1-2
Most of us know that the path to life is narrow. The word path here is the Greek word "hodos" and it simply means, "road or route." It's a little intimidating to think about how narrow the path to life is and that few find it. And a little scary to think of trying to stay on it. Thankfully, we are saved by grace. We don't have to earn our salvation or worry about how to stay on the path to life. But if, as Christians, our salvation is secure, why do our steps need so much guidance? I think it's because there is more to our path than just being "saved." There is another understanding of "path" that is a completely different word in the Hebrew: Dehrek. It means "journey or course of life." From what I have learned and gathered from scripture, we each have a unique path. One that has been paved and planned in advance for us. This path of ours is showered with good works foreordained for us to do. This race we're to run is already set before us. We just need a shepherd to guide us to do the right things at the right places with the right people at the perfect time. And Jesus is definitely qualified for the job.
Jesus himself had a very specific path. One that, just like ours, was already planned for Him. He was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world after all. It's hard to know for sure if He always knew who He was and the path He must walk, or if He had to find himself in the scripture. There isn't much written about His childhood. We know at least by age twelve He had an understanding of who He was. But can you even imagine what it must have been like for Jesus to read the scripture and realize the prophecies were talking about Him! That He must give His back to the lashes and whips, give His cheeks to them who tore out His beard, His face to shame and spitting. And yet He walked the path set out before Him perfectly. He had a purpose and a flock to save. Jesus came down to earth to show us mercy. The word for mercy is "checed", which can mean "to climb into someone's skin and look out of their eyes, hear out of their ears, and feel what they feel". And so we have someone who is fully qualified to guide us. What better shepherd than one who has been a sheep! He has already walked His path in our shoes. He faced temptations, endured pain, suffered persecution, experienced betrayal, and wept for lost loved ones. Whatever we're facing, our Good Shepherd can help us. He has been there.
So we have a fully qualified and good shepherd. But how will we feel His guidance and know we're on the right path? I recently read a couple books on persecuted Christians. Besides their love for the Lord, one thing all their stories had in common was purpose. Even though they experienced unimaginable evil and adversity, they faced it head on because they somehow knew it what was planned for them. That it was their path, that they were exactly where they needed to be. I believe whatever our path is, it will feel right. Like we're a piece fitting into a puzzle. Have you ever been somewhere and knew it was somehow a "divine appointment? " Have you ever had a friend you just knew you were supposed to know? Have you ever done something and said, "I was born to do this?" Well, you probably were. Jesus, the shepherd, is guiding us to the things already prepared for us.
When I was a kid, I liked to take care of all the stray cats in the neighborhood. Much to my parents dismay, I would put food out for them and make little houses for them out of cardboard boxes. In school, I would often be the first person to befriend a new or lonely kid. And sometimes, as far back as I can remember, I would get these nudges to pray for people. Strangers. I would see certain people at stores or restaurants and my heart would fill with heaviness and compassion. I still feel those nudges and still pray for strangers. I still have compassion and empathy for God's creatures. Animals and people. I still befriend the lonely. I can see now how my shepherd was leading me and instilling gifts in me at a young age to help me find my path. I lost my way for awhile. Spent many years not living or praying like I should. Often wishing I had different talents. There are a lot of things I'm not. I've never been brave enough to walk city streets evangelizing or move overseas to share the Gospel. I'm not one to go on dangerous expeditions. I have zero musical talent. And I don't like talking in front of people. But rather than worry about what I'm not, I have learned to embrace what I am. And be exactly who God designed me to be. An encouraging and compassionate friend and mother. A prayer warrior. A student (and maybe a teacher) of His Word. I have good works to do and no one else can do them or take my place. Or yours. We are all created to do something, not to earn anything or impress God. But to give us purpose, bring us joy, bless others, and ultimately fulfill God's plan. I'm guessing He probably doesn't really need us, I mean God created the universe. Still, He chooses to use us. And I believe our Shepherd starts leading us at very young ages to the right paths. Softly speaking to our hearts and helping us discover what our God given talents and callings are. We all have things we've always been good at. Natural inclinations. I believe these gifts and inclinations are meant to be a kind of compass in our hearts to lead us down the right path. I've seen it in my own life, and I can see it in my kids lives now. We all have a unique path, born with everything we need to walk on it. And a Shepherd to guide us on our journey.
The Sheepfold
"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
Luke 12:32
"So Jesus again said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture."
John 10:7, 9
So the Good Shepherd is walking with his sheep down their paths. And at the end of the day's journey, he guides them to the sheepfold. A place of safety with high walls and the shepherd himself guarding the only door. The Hebrew word for sheepfold is "aule", which means "a walled area with out a roof, or the interior courtyard of a mansion or palace." I find this so interesting! It reminds of the scriptures, "better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere, Psalms 84:10" and "in my Father's house are many mansions, Jn 14:2." (Mansion here can also mean rooms or houses). And Revelation 21:12 tells us that the New Jerusalem has a great high wall. If Jesus is the shepherd, and we are the sheep, then certainly the sheepfold could be Heaven. Home. A place with high walls and perfect rest and safety. And we know Jesus is the door, no one gets to the Father accept through Him. But all who belong to the Good Shepherd make it to the sheepfold. As Jesus himself says He has not lost any that God has given Him. Not one. (John 17:12). The sheep will be secure with their shepherd for all eternity. No more tears or suffering. No more cliffs or wrong turns. No more predators. Just joy unspeakable.
"To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children."
Revelation 21:6-7
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