John‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬-‭15‬, ‭27‬-‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“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…My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

Of all the many themes in the Bible, the theme of Jesus as the “Good Shepherd” is probably the most loved and the most favoured.  David, the young shepherd boy, celebrated his relationship to the God of Israel as a sheep to a shepherd, in the most beloved and well-known of all the psalms…Psalm 23. 

Jesus boldly declared to the people who followed Him that He was Israel’s true shepherd, the one God promised would be the shepherd who would love and care for His sheep.

“As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭34‬:‭12‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Unlike the “hirelings” who were the false shepherds of Israel who had only their own interests at heart, obviously referring to their religious leaders, the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus was the Shepherd who would give His life for the sheep. 

How riveting was His declaration! What shepherd had or would ever sacrifice himself for the wellbeing of sheep? This was a dimension of the Messiah’s role that no Israelite would ever contemplate. Yet, for Jesus, this prediction was the crux of His relationship with His people. Without His death and resurrection, His presence on earth would serve no purpose except to dangle before sinful humans a standard and example impossible for them to follow. 

The sacrifice of His own life for the sake of His sheep was both a promise and a guarantee…which some of them would only grasp and believe after the event and the coming of the Holy Spirit to reveal and enforce its truth. 

Imagine the impact of His words on those who had suffered under the tyranny of their hirelings for too long! This Shepherd’s love for His sheep was real and powerful. He showed them, in every word He spoke and every miracle He did, that life under His care was both wonderful and possible. His authority was unquestionable. His power was indisputable. He said and did everything that demonstrated the promise of God’s eternal kingdom on earth. 

How, then, can one become a sheep in His flock? How can one join those who faithfully follow Him and enjoy the benefits of His loving care?

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus’ invitation is open to anyone who hears His voice. 

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus is the shepherd of an all-exclusive and all-inclusive flock…all-exclusive because there is no place for those who refuse to believe in Him…and all-inclusive for those who hear His voice and follow Him. He has left the choice to us. 

Jesus assures us that He is still calling. His call to follow Him will never cease until the last blast of the trumpet heralds His return and the establishment of His kingdom on earth. At that moment, He will destroy all evil by the words of His mouth, and banish all unbelievers to the place they have chosen to spend their eternity. 

The time to hear the Shepherd’s voice is now! Repent and believe the good news.  

“As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Shepherd of my soul, I give You full control;

Wherever You may lead I will follow.

I have made the choice to listen for Your voice;

Wherever You may lead, I will go. 

Be it in a quiet pasture or by a gentle breeze,

The shepherd of my soul is by my side;

Should I face a mighty mountain or a valley dark and deep,

The shepherd of my soul will be my guide. 

Lord, you’re the Shepherd of my soul; 

I give You full control;

Wherever You may lead I will follow. 

I have made the choice to listen for Your voice;

Wherever You may lead I will go.

Wherever,  wherever You may lead, I will go.” 

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Martin J. Nystrom

To be continued…