THE GOOD SHEPHERD | Northstar Church

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep….I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me” – John 10:11,14.

What was a day in the life like for a person who lived in Bible times? A shepherd’s life was long and sometimes difficult. In the early morning, shepherds led the flock from the fold, marching them to where they would be pastured. Once there, they watched them all day, taking care that none of the sheep strayed, and if any, for a time, eluded his watch and wandered away from the rest, seeking diligently till he found and brought it back. The shepherd had to protect the sheep from predators, of which there were many: lions, bears, wolves, hyenas, and leopards were all interested in a sheep dinner.

We all have some shepherd we follow. Sometimes, we may want to be or at least try to be our shepherd and follow ourselves. Or our functional shepherd may be another person in our life, leading us around and taking us places we don’t want to go. Maybe there is some idea or something that consumes you. But there is only one good shepherd. Jesus was called the Good Shepherd because He called himself the Good Shepherd in the Gospel of John.

There are two different types of shepherds: hired hands and those who own the sheep. The hired hand is doing this shepherding gig to make a living. In most cases, his commitment to the sheep is based on self-interest, which will impact to what degree or length he will go to take care of those sheep. If the going gets tough, the shepherd may get going.

The shepherd who owns the sheep has no limitations in his level of care for his sheep. Jesus is the long-awaited, true Good Shepherd who does not lose sight of His sheep (Ezekiel 34). He knows the heart and condition of each one in His flock. The text says the Good Shepherd “…sacrifices his life for the sheep” (John 10:11) to save and protect his sheep.

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). He protects them against danger, goes after those who wander away, and pursues those who are lost (Matthew 18:12-14).

Psalm 100:3 says, “Acknowledge that the Lord is God. He made us, and we are his, — his people, the sheep of his pasture.” Jesus is the only one who cares about you without limitation. He is the only one who loves you perfectly. Psalm 121:3-4 says, “He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.” There is no limit to the Good Shepherd’s love and care for you.

Discussion Questions:

When you think of a shepherd, what comes to mind? What comes to mind when you think of a sheep? What is most significant about the shepherd’s relationship to the sheep?
Throughout Scripture, God describes Himself as the Shepherd of His people. How does that apply to your life?