The Great Shepherd

Scripture

Psalm 23; Matthew 18:12–14; John 10:1–8; Hebrews 13:20–21

Our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep. — Hebrews 13:20

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 10:14–15

• A good shepherd, or pastor, must have a combination of almost paradoxical qualities.

We who are not shepherds tend to think of a pastoral scene as being peaceful and quiet. The picture is full of lush greens, blue sky, and a crystal-clear pool of water. No sounds more harsh than those of chirping birds can be heard. Our image of the shepherd tends to be that of a person both gentle and patient. The good shepherd thoughtfully provides the best nourishment and care possible for his sheep. He is willing to risk personal hardship and danger for them. With the picture as sketched so far, we like thinking of ourselves as sheep under the watch of such a shepherd!

But sheep are stupid creatures. Often they don’t have the sense to follow the shepherd, and he must nudge or even push them from behind or alongside. Sheep are willful creatures, often straying, searching for something better, somewhere else. 

The good shepherd knows each one of his sheep by name, and each is important to him.

He will leave the rest of the flock to search for one that wanders off. The good shepherd persistently combs the countryside until he locates the missing sheep.

Here the pastoral picture changes. The once blue sky darkens with an approaching storm. The sheep is caught in a thorn bush at the brink of a precipice. The good shepherd has to act swiftly, forcefully. He places his shepherd’s crook firmly around the neck of his sheep. Holding aside some of the thorny branches with one arm, the shepherd pulls — yes, yanks — his sheep free from the bush, bringing some of the thorns and smaller branches with it.

Having found shelter, the good shepherd has to pull out the thorns, one by one, as his sheep bleats in pain.

On the way home, the shepherd has to kill a wild animal that would otherwise have attacked. The sheep trembles and is afraid. The good shepherd is indeed gentle and patient, a loving provider of care and nourishment. He is also strong and able and will push or pull hard when love for his sheep dictates that he do so.

Great and Good Shepherd, we marvel that you know each of us by name and that you go out of your way to find us when we wander off. You provide for us with great care. We are grateful that you lead us, even sometimes carry us, through the dark and shadowy places. Lead us safely home, we pray.

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Sheep are safest when grazing in herds, guarded by a shepherd. Consider the wayward sheep, unguarded. What happens when that sheep wanders alone? When it encounters a fierce predator or dangerous terrain, pain and suffering is the result. The good news is that we are not sheep without a shepherd God promises to guide us and has already “laid down His life” for us (John 10:15). How is the Good Shepherd guiding you? What hazards has the Good Shepherd helped you avoid or successfully defeat?

Excerpted with permission from All the Glorious Names by Mary Foxwell Loeks, copyright Mary Foxwell Loeks.

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Your Turn

Have you ever thought of the duties of a shepherd being not the gentle image we learned about as kids? Our Shepherd is intense in His care of us and sometimes what He has to do hurts us as He helps us. We are as stupid as sheep and yet He rescues us again and again! Hallelujah! ~ Devotionals Daily