Before Moses and King David led God’s people, they led sheep as shepherds because good shepherds make good leaders. While researching shepherding, I discovered that sheep are very safety-conscious and won’t immediately follow a shepherd. So the shepherd sits with them until they no longer feel scared or threatened but accept him as one of their flock. He gains their trust by consistently feeding them, removing threats, tending to any injured sheep, and speaking calmly. God the Father was the Shepherd of Israel who delivered them from their enemies, fed them bread from heaven and water from a rock, and led them by the cloud of his presence through the wilderness. Israel feared God but did not trust him, so the Shepherd came down to our level by becoming one of us, the Lamb of God. He spent time with us caring for the sick, casting out demons, feeding the multitude, gently leading his disciples and dying for his sheep. He all did this so we would finally trust God as our Good Shepherd.
Jesus described the relationship a shepherd has with his sheep in John 10:3-5. “The sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” The relationship sheep have with their shepherd is one of trust because they rely on him to protect and feed them. They follow their shepherd out of trust in his goodness. This is the kind of relationship we enjoy with Jesus. We follow his voice because he is good and we trust him to lead us to green pastures.
I spoke with a shepherdess who confirmed that sheep respond to the voice of their shepherd who calls them by name. Cattle are driven to run out of fear, but sheep are called by name and follow their shepherd. Jesus doesn’t drive us like cattle but treats us as individuals who have dignity. Just like God called the children of Israel by name and led them out of Egypt where they had been driven by fear as slaves, Jesus calls us by name and leads us to green pastures. God promises in Isaiah 43:1-3, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” The same God who parted the Red Sea and led Israel safely through it guides, protects, and comforts us with his presence because we we’re his sheep.
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep” (John 10:11-13). In Ezekiel 34 God rebukes Israel’s leaders as bad shepherds who profit from the sheep without caring for the injured or rescuing the lost sheep, ruling them “with harshness and cruelty” (Ezekiel 34:4). Jesus characterizes leaders who are only in it for the money as hired hands. They don’t really care about the sheep because the sheep don’t belong to them. In contrast, Jesus sacrifices his life to protect his sheep because his sheep are valuable to him and worth protecting. You matter to Jesus!
In Ezekiel 34:15-16 God promises that since the bad shepherds had failed to care for his flock, “I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. 16 I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak.” God himself came in the flesh to shepherd Israel.In Luke 15:4 Jesus describes the good shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine sheep in his flock to go after the one who is lost. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus does not abandon us when we lose our way but comes after us to rescue us.
Jesus laid down his life to protect us from wolves who attack and wound the sheep. Wounded people wound people. Isaiah 53 reveals that Jesus is the Lamb of God who took upon himself all of our griefs, sorrows, sicknesses, the inherent weaknesses of our personality and sin-bent nature. He took our wounds so that we could be healed, thereby ending the cycle of woundedness for us. We are no longer wounded people who wound other people, but healed people who heal others. This is how Jesus brings peace, by changing us from wolves who prey on others to sheep who are protected by the Good Shepherd. When we’re without a shepherd, we are helpless to defend ourselves from the attacks of people and the devil. But Jesus laid down his life for us, taking all our punishment and afflictions upon himself, so we can remain in the sheepfold of Jesus through his Spirit, following his voice as his flock.
The night Jesus was betrayed and arrested, Jesus told his followers, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered’” (Matthew 26:31). When Jesus was crucified, the result was a scattering of God’s sheep. Those who rejected Jesus as the Good Shepherd have been wandering the earth without a shepherd, waiting for him to gather his flock as God promised in Ezekiel 34:11-13: “I myself will search and find my sheep. 12 I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. 13 I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations.”
Those who receive Jesus as their Shepherd and listen to his voice are also scattered to the nations, but we go on assignment to help Jesus gather the other sheep he desires to bring into his sheepfold. In John 10:16 Jesus reveals, “I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.” Jesus is gathering sheep from all over the world to be part of one flock. Ephesians 2:14 tells us, “For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.” Jesus is the Good Shepherd of Israel, but he has other sheep that he must also bring into the sheepfold. Who are they? Those who listen to his voice and follow him.
Identity Puzzle Piece: Who am I in Christ, the Good Shepherd? A sheep who listens to Jesus’ voice and follows him.
Jesus declared in John 10:14-15,“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father.” Jesus knows the Father intimately and is known by the Father intimately. The word for “know” in this passage means to know, recognize, understand; to have sexual relations. Genesis 4:25 tells us that Adam “knew” his wife and she gave birth to a son (ESV). When Jesus says he knows his own sheep and they know him the way he knows his Father and is known, he’s speaking of a level of intimacy that includes understanding and deep connection. When we hear the voice of our Shepherd, Jesus, we hear him inside of us because that’s where he lives. He knows us better than we know ourselves and longs to reveal himself to us so we can grow in understanding. God desires for us to know him intimately so we’ll be led by his voice in us.
When we believe that Jesus is a Good Shepherd, we will trust him and listen for his voice so we can follow him. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one” (John 10:27-30). Jesus reveals that all who listen to his voice and follow him not only have his protection, but the protection of the Father who is more powerful than any threat we may face. How does Jesus protect us?
In John 17:9-12, Jesus prays for his flock to be protected by the Father: “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. 10 All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. 11 Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. 12 During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.” Jesus protects us by the power of his name and gives us the authority of his name. In Mark 16:17 Jesus declares that those who believe in him will cast out demons in his name. As we remain in Jesus, we remain protected by his name which is how we overcome fear.
In addition to the protection we have from Jesus’ name, Jesus asks the Father in John 17:11 to protect us by the power of the Father’s name. This is so we will be united with the Father just as Jesus and the Father are united. What is the name of the Father by which he chose to reveal himself to Israel? YAHWEH, which means “I AM.” God is who he says he is. When my identity is hidden in God’s identity, I am protected by his name because nothing can separate me from him if there’s no “me” to separate. This is why Jesus prays for us to be united with him as he is united with the Father, to be one. When who I am is enveloped by the Great I AM, I’m securely enclosed in the sheepfold of the Good Shepherd. I have nothing to fear because I live inside “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6). If God is filled with unfailing love and I live in him, I live inside unfailing love. We are safe in God’s sheepfold because he is good.
David, the shepherd who became King of Israel, writes about the Lord as his Shepherd in Psalm 23. He describes the Good Shepherd as the one who gives him rest in green pastures and leads him beside still waters to restore his soul. Jesus not only cares for our physical need to eat and rest, but the need of our soul to find rest in God’s sufficiency. In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Jesus is not cracking the whip, driving you to work, burdening you with a load of guilt and shame when you fall short of man’s expectations. In Jesus, we find rest for our souls because he carries the burden of leading us and we simply follow his voice.
David declares that the Good Shepherd leads him in paths of righteousness. Sometimes following God’s righteous path requires us to go through a dangerous “valley of the shadow of death,” described in Psalm 23:4. When I was in Israel, our Jewish guide pointed to a narrow ravine and said that ravines in Israel are called a valley of the shadow of death because you are potentially exposed to your enemies as you walk through it. David declares he will not fear evil in that place of exposure “for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4, NIV). Jesus promised to never leave or forsake us, so we find comfort in his presence even when following him leads us into dangerous places. With his rod he protects us from the wolves and with his staff he gently guides us to keep going so we’ll reach the feast he’s laid before us in the presence of our enemies (Psalm 23:5). When we worship Jesus, feasting on his goodness, the devil cannot rob us of our joy and peace in Christ that comes from his presence.
Jesus described the thief who sneaks over the wall into the sheepfold, saying, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10). How does Jesus deal with the thief of our joy and peace? By giving us his life-giving Spirit. Psalm 23:5 continues, “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (NIV). David’s anointing points to the gift of the Holy Spirit, the living water whom Jesus said bubbles up within us. Anointing sheep was also a practice of shepherds to protect them from pests. Jesus gives us the life-giving power of his Spirit so we can enjoy a “rich and satisfying life.” In verse 7 David confidently declares that when he looks into his past, he sees God’s goodness and mercy, and the path before him leads to God’s house forever. Whether we look behind us or in front of us, there is only goodness and mercy when we remain in Christ as sheep of the Good Shepherd who leads us by the voice of his Spirit inside us.
In Ezekiel 34:16 God promised that as Israel’s Shepherd he would “bind up the injured and strengthen the weak” (NIV). In Matthew 9:35-38 we see that promise fulfilled as “Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.’” You and I are the answer to Jesus’ prayer every time we have compassion, like Jesus, and follow in his footsteps to care for his sheep.
Christ, the Good Shepherd, in Me: When we are filled with the Spirit of Jesus, we love what he loves, and his priorities become our priorities. We start looking for lost sheep and caring for God’s flock, praying with people to receive healing in their body and soul. In John 21 we discover how Jesus reinstated the ministry of Peter, who had denied him three times when the Good Shepherd was struck and his sheep scattered in fear. Jesus asked three times if Peter loved him, and after each time Peter said he loved the Lord, Jesus told him to feed and care for his sheep. Feeding sheep can mean feeding them scripture, the work of pastors and teachers. However, in John 21:16 Jesus specifically asks Peter to take care of his sheep. The shepherds commissioned by Jesus not only care for people’s spiritual lives, but their physical needs, as well. We love the whole person.
Peter learned from Jesus how to be a shepherd and taught us how to be good shepherds in 1 Peter 5:2-4. “Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.” Whether we are shepherding little children, coworkers, a small group Bible study, or serving our community, we lead by example so that those who follow us will be led to Christ, the Good Shepherd. Jesus’ followers are both sheep and shepherds who care for people. In fact, how we care for people demonstrates that we are Jesus’ sheep.
In Matthew 25:32, Jesus says that when he returns, he will gather the nations and “separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” To the sheep he will say, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me” (Matthew 25:34-36). When Jesus’ sheep ask how this happened, he replies, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” (Matthew 25:40). Jesus takes our love for his sheep personally and receives it as love for him.
Sheep who hear Jesus’ voice will care for his sheep with God’s heart to protect them. While there are many passages in scripture that call us to care for the poor, Jesus specifically mentions caring for “the least of these my brothers and sisters” in Matthew 25:40, which is defined as his fellow countrymen or Jews. However, in Matthew 12:49 Jesus also declares that his followers are his family. So is Jesus asking us to show kindness to the Jews, believers, or simply anyone who is in need? Yes. Jesus’ sheep care for everyone who is in his flock, including Israel because he is their promised Shepherd. But we also join him in gathering those who are not yet in his flock, preaching good news to the poor with acts of kindness. The Apostle Paul sums it up in Galatians 6:10: “Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”
Identity Declaration: I am a sheep of the Good Shepherd. (Baa.) My Shepherd feeds me, guides me, and protects me with his name. I remain in his sheepfold, encircled by the faithful love and compassion of the Great I AM. I listen to the voice of my Shepherd who calls me by name and anoints me with his Spirit. I follow him to rescue his lost sheep and care for the needs of his flock.
Reflection: How can I love other sheep as Christ, the Good Shepherd, has loved and cared for me?
The Word Remaining in Me:
- Read Isaiah 40:9-11. What does this passage reveal about the Messiah as the Good Shepherd? How does he lead his flock? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the gentleness of Jesus as you reflect on Philippians 4:5, “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near” (NIV).
- Read Psalm 3:1-6. Read Psalm 3:1-6. David describes God as his shield of protection when he was being hunted by his own son. How does faith in Jesus as our Shepherd who guides and protects us help us overcome fear? How can we lay down to rest and sleep peacefully like David in this Psalm?
- Read Ezekiel 34. How is Jesus the Good Shepherd of Israel and what is he doing for them in the last days? In John 10:16, Jesus says he has more sheep to add to the flock of Israel: the church. Compare Ezekiel 34 to Matthew 25:32-46. If Ezekiel 34 shows how God cares for the lost sheep of Israel who are victims of bad shepherds and unruly sheep, how should the church treat Jews? (See Matthew 25:40.)
- Read John 10:1-10. How do we discern between Jesus’ voice and the “stranger” or thief who is not a legitimate shepherd? Jesus warned of false teachers and told us to judge a tree by its fruit. Read 2 Peter 2. What kind of fruit is produced by false teachers? Ask the Holy Spirit to give you discernment between the voice of the Good Shepherd and those who lead God’s sheep astray.
Remain in Love: I read in a forum on shepherding that to gain the trust of her sheep, the shepherdess would daily sit on the ground a short distance from where she had just placed their morning food, talking softly while they ate so they could get used to her voice and appearance. This is how the Holy Spirit engages with you as you read scripture. He quietly talks to you while you feed on his words, helping you get used to the sound of his voice so that you’ll recognize it when he calls your name in the field and speaks to you individually. Pray Psalm 23 to the Lord as an affirmation of who he is to you, then wait on the Lord and listen for his still small voice to gently speak. Jesus promises, “My sheep hear my voice” (John 10:27, ESV). “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God” (Romans 8:14).
Bonus Online Content
Click here for a PDF of the Small Group Discussion Guide and Fun, Interactive Family Lesson
Worshiping From Your Identity as a sheep of the Good Shepherd:
- Click here to sing through Psalm 23 (“Psalm 23” by Kingsporch)
- Click here to worship Jesus as the Shepherd of your soul (“Shepherd of My Soul” by Christy Nockels)
- Click here to worship as an overcomer of fear because you belong to Jesus (“I Belong to Jesus” Paul and Hannah McClure)
Sheep of the Good Shepherd Identity Scriptures to Memorize and Pray:
Thank you, Jesus, for being my gentle Shepherd who carries me close to your heart. You feed me, lead me, and give me rest. I will not be afraid because you protect me by your name. You are my salvation, and I am hidden in you. When I am vulnerable and surrounded by enemies, you protect and comfort me with your presence so that I am able to feast on your goodness without fear. The enemy cannot snatch me from the Father’s hand for you, oh Lord, are more powerful than anyone else! Anoint me with your Holy Spirit and fill me to overflowing with abundant life that flows from your presence. When I look at my past, I see nothing but your goodness to me and unfailing love that covers my weaknesses. When I look at the path ahead, I see your house where I will live with you forever. You are with me, right beside me, all the days of my life. You lead me by your voice. Speak, Lord. I am listening.
“[God] will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young” (Isaiah 40:11).
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23).
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand” (John 10:27-29).
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