The Good Shepherd

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is a familiar and comforting picture of God’s feelings for us and His outlook toward us. It is a picture that is certainly echoed throughout the pages of Scripture. Isaiah 40:11 tells us, “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.”

And Jesus himself told the story of a shepherd who left his flock of 99 and went after one stray sheep to illustrate His attitude toward the person who strays from the flock. How easily He could write off the one who strays. But He doesn’t. Instead, He goes out and looks for that sheep. When He finds it, He brings it back and rejoices.

The Shepherd knows His sheep. He knows us by name. He knows our personalities. He knows our strengths and weaknesses. He knows our dreams. He knows what we are frightened of.

Not only does God know our natures, but He knows our needs. Don’t forget that this God we serve and follow knows also what it is like to be human. He knew what it was like to face the limitations of humanity. He knew what it was like to feel the pressure of temptation. He knew what it was like to experience loneliness, sorrow, and joy. As Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Our Good Shepherd cares about us. He knows what it is like to be a sheep. And He knows what we are going through.