Jesus is called the good shepherd throughout the Bible. Because we are in modern times, you might not know what the job of a shepherd actually is. When the Bible was written, Christ as a good Shepherd directly related to the people of its time. Take a look at why Jesus is called our shepherd.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

John 10:11

What’s The Job of The Shepherd?

A shepherd’s job is to protect their flock. They protect them from danger (wild beasts, etc.)

A shepherd makes sure no sheep get lost from the flock.

If a sheep does wander off, the shepherd’s job is to go after it and bring it back to safety.

A shepherd guides the sheep to water, and then brings them home, as he accounts for each one. 

1. A Shepherd Provides

“‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep.  I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.

There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel.  I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays.”

Ezekial 34: 11-16

At the time this passage was written, the nation of Israel did not have a “shepherd” to lead its people.  God says that He will be their shepherd! He alone will help provide and tend to the sheep (the people of Israel).

Testimony of God’s Provision as a Good Shepherd

In my own life, I have seen God provide for me when I believed provision wasn’t possible.  I am about to have my second daughter, and with that comes maternity leave–something which my employer does not pay for–just like most Americans have to deal with.

I have been praying that God would provide a way for me to be able to take some time off with the baby, and yet still be able to have all of our bills paid.  After I have prayed that, we’ve been able to refinance our house and have a much lower mortgage, I have found a way to save 70$ a month on car insurance, and I have started having people ask me if I would be able to teach their children piano lessons.

Coincidence? Maybe.

But I truly believe in the power of prayer and that God IS our provider and he knows what we need!

So I ask you, who are you trusting as your provider?

If you are prayerful, use wisdom, and work hard, the Lord can provide for you in ways you never thought possible!

“They will live in safety, and no one will make them afraid. I will provide for them a land renowned for its crops, and they will no longer be victims of famine in the land or bear the scorn of the nations.  Then they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them and that they, the Israelites, are my people, declares the Sovereign Lord. You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

Ezekiel 34: 28-31

2. A Shepherd Loves

“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.  In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.”

Matthew 18: 12-14

A shepherd’s love is so deep, that if one sheep goes astray, he will go after it.

This is what Christ did for us–he laid his life down for each of us.  He died on the cross and was resurrected so we might have eternal life with him in heaven.

If you were the only person he had to die for, I believe, he would die just for you.

“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

Do you lean on the love of Jesus as your good shepherd? Or the love of a boyfriend/girlfriend/ spouse?

Christ has given us love so rare and so pure, we need to rely on his love and intimacy, more than anybody else’s.

He is the only one who will never let us down.

3. A Shepherd Protects

 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.  All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest.

John 10: 7-10

Purpose of The Shepherd’s Rod and Staff

Shepherds use their rods (also known as crooks) to lead their flock. They also use their rods to help defend the sheep from wild beasts!

I’ve had many circumstances that felt like a dangerous valley.

One thing I love about this psalm is that David does not write that he “never goes through valleys.”

We have times on this earth that feel like a living hell.

Perhaps you have quite literally walked through the valley of the shadow of death.

However, you do not have to be afraid, because Jesus, your good shepherd is with you.

You do not have to graze alone, Christ is with you and longs to comfort you.

Who are you leaning on as your comforter?

Maybe it’s not even a person, perhaps it’s something.

 A drug.

 A drink.

 An addiction.

I urge you to let Christ be your comfort and your protector!!

He is the only one who can lead us to safety in the darkest of valleys.