John 10:10-11. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Here’s my basic understanding of sheep – sheep need a shepherd. More than any other animal (from what I hear), sheep are completely helpless and completely foolish. Sheep can’t find their own food source. Sheep can’t defend themselves against predators. Sheep will go to unsafe places (I’ve read stories of sheep following each other off of cliffs). Sheep will even eat food that will kill them.
Here’s the Bible’s consistent message to us – we are sheep.
No, it’s not flattering, and it’s not meant to be. We are all utterly helpless and utterly foolish. All we like sheep have gone astray (Is. 53:6). We all need a Psalm 23 experience. We all NEED a shepherd. We all need a GOOD shepherd.
The problem in Jesus’ day was that most shepherds weren’t good. When Jesus calls himself the good shepherd he’s contrasting himself with the bad shepherds of Israel. But Jesus isn’t talking about literal shepherds. He’s condemning the kings and priests of Israel’s past and the religious leaders of Israel’s present. And he’s using Ezekiel’s prophecy to do it.
Ezekiel 34:2. “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?
In Ezekiel 34, God describes what bad shepherding looks like. A bad shepherd only cares about themselves. They seek to be served rather than to serve. They’re either apathetic, or they’re bullies. But THE good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.
The bad shepherd says, your life for me.
The good shepherd says, my life for you.
We’ve all experienced bad shepherding, haven’t we? A parent, a pastor, a teacher or coach, a boss, a politician, who selfishly only cared about their own well-being and not yours. Maybe you’ve been a bad shepherd. Maybe you’ve passively failed to strengthen others, or aggressively been harsh and demanding with others. We’ve all failed as shepherds too. So what is God’s solution to bad shepherding? Himself.
Ezekiel 34:15. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God.
God will be THE good shepherd, AND, God will appoint one good shepherd over his people.
Ezekiel 34:23. And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd.
To live is Christ is about being shepherded. It’s about having the Good Shepherd of your soul, the indwelling Christ, lovingly guide you through every step of life by his grace and truth (Jn. 1:14). It’s hearing your Shepherd’s voice over all other voices. It’s worshiping your Shepherd who is also your Lamb that was slain.
Revelation 7:17. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
You: What or who is shepherding you today? Is it Jesus?
You in Christ: In Christ you are being shepherded by Jesus’ grace and truth. Are you listening to his shepherd voice?
Christ in you: Where can you be a shepherd-king/queen today?
To Live is Christ 