Vol. XXXVIII April 3, 2006 No 4
Jesus, Our Magnificent Shepherd
by Tom McLemore
One of the most beautiful and encouraging descriptions of Jesus in the New Testament is shepherd. It was natural for Jesus to assume this role for several reasons. Sheep herding was very common among his people from the early days. The stories of the patriarchs were sagas of people who herded sheep among other livestock. David, who was a type of Christ in his kingship, was called to be king from tending his father Jesse’s sheep. Even when he met Goliath of Gath on the field of honor, it was with the help of the Almighty and the paraphernalia of the shepherd’s trade that he vanquished him.
The wise men of Israel were thought of as a single shepherd whose words were as goads and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies. Throughout the Old Testament, the God of Israel revealed himself as the Shepherd of his people. It was to shepherds that the first announcement of the birth of the Shepherd of the world was made. From Jesus’ day until now, shepherds and their flocks have been common sights in the land of Palestine.
Furthermore, shepherds and sheep form a fitting picture of the relationship between the Lord Jesus and his followers. The shepherd provides for the needs and safety of the helpless, directionless, and vulnerable sheep. Because of the shepherd’s care and provision, the sheep shall not want. They feed in green pastures and drink from still waters and are refreshed. They are led only through the right ways, and even when the way seems fearful and dark, the sheep trust that all will be well. They rightly sense that their shepherd will protect them from whatever may assault them.
Whenever God’s people were oppressed, or they had forsaken him, or when they were the victims of ruthless, self-serving leaders, or when they had no leadership at all, they are described as sheep without a shepherd, scattered upon the mountains and becoming food to all the beasts of the field. As God’s people looked for deliverance from their crises, they saw and longed for the mighty acts of the Lord, their Shepherd. He would seek out his flock and would deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.
They dreamed that he would remember the days of old when, by means of the leadership of Moses, he had brought them up out of the sea. He would again feed his flock, gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. He would raise up servants who would be his shepherds and perform all his pleasure and enable the people to rebuild their lives. He would punish the false shepherds! And who was the shepherd that was like him or that would be able to stand before him?
When the prophets looked ahead to the last days when Messiah would come, they spoke of God’s intention to set up one shepherd over his people who would feed them–his servant David. He would feed them, and he would be their shepherd. David, God’s servant, would be king over them, and they all would have one shepherd. They would also walk in God’s judgments, and observe his statutes, and do them under his leadership.
And so, when Jesus was born and had grown to manhood, he was manifested to Israel as the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world and as the Shepherd. He saw the multitudes, and he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. He taught them many things and fed them as they sat in companies on the grass of green pastures. His teaching was like still, living waters to those who were thirsty. He taught them about his relationship with the Father and how he was the only one who could provide access and lead them to the Father. He knows his sheep and they know him. He seeks to speak to all his sheep and to bring those who hear his voice into the one fold and be the one Shepherd.
(No wonder the elders of the church are also styled shepherds or “pastors,” and their task is described as tending the flock over which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers. They have Christ as their model, and they serve as his under shepherds. Their qualifications are derived from being his sheep. They are experienced and proven in following the chief Shepherd. They are worthy of our honor, love, and support both for their responsibility and for their care as they work among us and lead us after Christ).
The Shepherd Christ Jesus foretold his laying down his life for the sheep. He would not be like a hireling whose own the sheep are not. The hireling sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. No, Jesus would be the good Shepherd to whom the sheep belong, and he would protect them with his life. Just before he was betrayed, he told his disciples that they would be offended because of him that night because it stood written, “I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.”
But the Shepherd’s death would not be the end, because just as he laid down his life, he would take it again. The Shepherd would be raised from the dead by the glory of the Father. In his death for the sheep, he has provided eternal salvation for us. God be thanked! For we were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls! Because the Shepherd rose again, we sorrow not as others who have no hope though we walk through death’s dark vale. We fear no evil!
Jesus also foretold of his triumph and Shepherd kingship. He would sit on the throne of his glory. Before him would be gathered all nations: and he would separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. There he sits today. Because of him we can pray for each other with these words: “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Let us serve and follow our magnificent Shepherd and lovingly look for his return, for we know that when the chief Shepherd shall appear, we shall receive a crown of glory that does not fade away.
Designed and maintained by Houston Park Church of Christ Copyright © 2000 by Houston Park Church of Christ 2 Crescent Hill Drive Selma, Alabama 36701 334-874-7941. All rights reserved. Revised: 20 Aug 2007.