Good Shepherd

Yesterday was Halloween and those who celebrate the holiday had to decide which “side” their costume would reflect, good or evil. The discussion of good versus evil is an ongoing perennial conflict that has existed throughout history in the religious and secular worlds. Depending upon one’s belief system, the winner in the debate differs. The concepts of good and evil are common dichotomies in ethics, literature, philosophy, psychology, religion, and society. In the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, there are passages that focus on the juxtaposition of the two (Genesis 50:20, Psalm 34:14, Romans 12:21, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). Good is often characterized by the ability to act on behalf of, empathize with and or think about others. Evil is characterized by the actions, thoughts and words that are utterly self-centered; without having concern or thought for others. The enemy is completely self-centered therefore evil. Our Heavenly Father loves and cares for His children. We are always on His mind and that is good, He is more than good. 

Jesus is recorded as saying, “I am the good shepherd” in the eleventh verse of the tenth chapter of the book written by John. Each of the “I AM” statements are reminders of Jesus’ divinity. In the previous “I Am” statement, Jesus made it clear that He is the only way to The Father, when He said, “I am the door of the sheep” (John 10:9). He chose to use the Greek phrase “ho kilos” which means “the perfect example of a thing”. Jesus was making it plain and clear to His listeners that He is the perfect example of a good shepherd. Here, in the fourth “I am”, Jesus uses a contrasting statement to clarify the difference between Himself as a shepherd and the selfish, ungodly shepherds and religious leaders of the time. Far too often, the shepherds He was speaking of mistreated and preyed upon their sheep. Jesus’ listeners would have been familiar with the bad shepherds and religious leaders who often took advantage of them therefore, they would welcome the words of Jesus describing Himself as the perfect example of the good shepherd.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word good as, “of a favorable character or tendency, virtuous, right and dependable”. Biblically, the word good is defined as “holy, pure, righteous”. The Greek word for good, kalos, used in John 10:11 is translated in English as ”admirable, choice, excellent, eminent, proper, right, and surpassing”. In the fourth, “I am” statement of Jesus, good is purposefully used to make clear that God, His Father and ours, is excellent in His nature and characteristics. Not only is God good, goodness is what He desires and has for His children (Psalm 119:68, Luke 11:13). Jesus, God’s Only Begotten Son, is good; is also excellent, holy, pure and righteous in his nature and character. This goodness and abundance of blessings are available to each of us (Exodus 34:6, Psalm 31:19).

The Gospel of John was written to prove to the Jewish readers that Jesus is God. John purposefully wove metaphors, phrases and words from the Old Testament, especially those found in the book Genesis, to make his point plain and clear. Those listening to and reading the words of Jesus, recorded by John, would have made the connection to Old Testament passages in which God was described as the shepherd of His people (Genesis 49:24, Psalm 23:1, Zechariah 13:7). Those listening to and reading the words of Jesus, recorded by John, would have understood that Jesus was connecting Himself to and identifying Himself with the God of the Old Testament. There is and was no way that this “I am” statement could have been misunderstood. Jesus made it plain and clear that He was and is, the fulfillment of the ideal shepherd illustrated in Old Testament scriptures.

Jesus, the good shepherd, went on to say that “the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11b). Comprehending the fact that shepherds care for their sheep to the point of inconveniencing themselves and even at times taking risks for them was easy. However, it would have been difficult to consider that a shepherd would go beyond inconvenience and actually sacrifice his life for one of his sheep. Jesus, the good shepherd, did not stop at a mere inconvenience, He loving gave His life and paid the ultimate sacrifice on Calvary’s cross for His sheep, for you and for me (John 10:17). I am grateful that Jesus, the good shepherd, took on my sin, took on the punishment that should have been mine and died so I could be eternally His (1 Corinthians 15:3). The ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, the good shepherd, did not stop on Calvary, His goodness continues. Every day of my life He is interceding on my behalf. He is good!

When I think about what it really means to be God’s daughter and Jesus being the perfect example of the good shepherd, I am blown away. I am grateful that Jesus, the good shepherd, who knows me better than I know myself, felt that I was worth the sacrifice (1 John 4:10). I am grateful that Jesus, the good shepherd, supplies every one of my needs; expertly caring for me, feeding me and leading me each day of my life (Philippians 4:19). I am grateful that Jesus, the good shepherd, is always with me and carries me when I cannot take another step (Isaiah 41:10). I am grateful that Jesus, the good shepherd, keeps me on the path He has for me, correcting and disciplining me when I falter (Psalms 32:8, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). I am grateful that Jesus, the good shepherd, defends and protects me from the enemy who desires to destroy me (Psalm 121:7-8, 2 Thessalonians 3:3). I am grateful for the promise of eternal security that Jesus, the good shepherd provides (John 10:28-29, 1 John 5:13). I am forever grateful for Jesus, the good shepherd.

Join me Under The Church Hat for this month’s exercise:

Describe how Jesus, the good shepherd, has cared for you this year in less than 250 words.

As God’s daughter, describe how you follow the example of goodness in the lives of others in less than 250 words.

List three characteristics of Jesus, the good shepherd, that you will focus on enacting this month.

Identify and write down one area of your life that you need to surrender to Jesus, the good shepherd.

Choose a passage of scripture from this devotion to meditate on throughout the month.