3 reasons Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

Being a shepherd in Jesus’ day was a lifestyle as much as a career. Shepherds spent their days and nights watching over their sheep. They cared deeply for their sheep, and did everything to take care of their flock.

In John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.” Being the good shepherd means Jesus…

Cares for us deeply.

For the most part, sheep were not raised to be slaughtered. They were raised to produce lambs and wool, so the shepherd cared for them deeply. Each sheep was an investment, so shepherds would…

• Tends to the sheep’s wounds.
• Make sure the sheep were safe, protecting them from threats.
• Lay down his life for the sheep.

As our good shepherd, Jesus cares for us in this way.

Values us over himself.

Jesus says the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. If a wolf threatened the flock, the shepherd would stand between the wolf and the flock. He would fight the wolf to protect the flock.

Jesus intercedes on our behalf. His grace and mercy protect us. He was willing to go to the cross on our behalf.

Knows us individually.

Shepherds know each of their sheep. They know if an individual sheep is injured or missing. All sheep may look the same unless you are the shepherd.

Jesus knows us individually. The Lord numbers the hair on our head. He knows if we are missing or injured. He knows if we are hurting. As our shepherd, Jesus is there to tend our wounds and comfort us.

Psalm 95:7 says, “For he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today.”

Please share this post.