Last week, our Women’s Bible study delved into John 10:1- 10. We examined how Jesus described himself as the door or gate. In that same chapter, he describes himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11 – 18). The qualities of the Good Shepherd are:
- His sacrificial love for the sheep,
- His intimate knowledge of them, and
- His voluntary laying down of his life for their protection.
In John 10, Jesus fulfills the ancient imagery of God’s care for his people.
Shepherds in the Old Testament
Several key figures in the Old Testament were shepherds. Their roles often symbolized their leadership, care, and guidance, foreshadowing Jesus as the ultimate “Good Shepherd.” This theme of shepherding through the scriptures provides a rich context for understanding the significance of Jesus’ role as the ultimate Good Shepherd.
Abel
The first shepherd mentioned in scripture is Abel, the son of Adam and Eve. The author of Hebrews tells us that God accepted his offering of the “firstborn of his flock” because it symbolized faith and obedience (Hebrews 11:4). Abel’s act parallels Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice and the Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep.
Abraham
Abraham (Genesis 12-25) is often called the “father of faith.” He was a shepherd when God called him to leave his homeland and go to an unknown place. He obeys that call and illustrates God’s guidance and covenant promises. Abraham, who led his household and flocks, points to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who leads His people by faith and secures God’s promises.
Isaac
Isaac (Genesis 26:12-14) followed in the footsteps of his father, Abraham. As the son of promise, Isaac prefigures Jesus, the promised Son who would shepherd God’s people and bring the ultimate blessing.
Jacob
Jacob (Genesis 30:31-43) was a shepherd who worked for his uncle Laban. He wanted to be free from his “contract” with Laban, so with careful breeding and God’s blessings, he built up his wealth in livestock. Just as Jacob cared for and grew his flock, Jesus cares for His people (the “sheep”) and brings them into spiritual abundance.
Joseph
Joseph (Genesis 37:2) was Jacob’s favorite son. He was a shepherd of his father’s flock before his brothers sold him into slavery. Joseph rose from slavery to a ruler of Egypt, saving his people from famine. In like manner, Jesus the Good Shepherd saves His people from spiritual death and provides for them eternally.
Moses
Before leading Israel out of Egypt, Moses (Exodus 3:1) was a shepherd for 40 years in the wilderness of Midian, tending the flocks of his father-in-law, Jethro. Moses’ time as a shepherd prepared him for leading Israel through the wilderness. Like Moses, who shepherded Israel, Jesus the Good Shepherd leads His people out of slavery to sin and into spiritual freedom.
Aaron
Aaron’s (Exodus 7:7) primary role was as a high priest, but he and his brother Moses were shepherds in their early lives. His role as a priest points to Jesus, the Good Shepherd and the Great High Priest, who intercedes for His flock.
David
David’s (1 Samuel 16:11-13) story begins in the books of Samuel. He was a shepherd before becoming king of Israel. David, who wrote Psalm 23, is often connected with the shepherd imagery of the Messiah. Jesus is called the “Son of David” and fulfills the role of the Shepherd-King, guiding and protecting His people.
Amos
Amos was a fig tree farmer and a shepherd called by God to be a prophet to Israel. His message of justice and judgment foreshadowed Jesus, who came from humble beginnings to proclaim the truth. Just as Amos confronted the leaders and shepherds of Israel for their failure to care for the people, Jesus emphasized His role as the authentic, faithful Shepherd who cares for His sheep.
Zechariah
In Zechariah 11:4-17, we learn that Zechariah was not a shepherd but was appointed by God to assume the role of a shepherd. His “flock” was doomed to slaughter, symbolizing the failure of Israel’s leaders and the rejection of God’s care. Zechariah’s shepherding symbolizes God’s relationship with Israel and foreshadows the rejection of the Messiah. This rejection prophetically points to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who was ultimately betrayed for thirty pieces of silver. Despite the rejection, Jesus fulfills the role of the true Shepherd who lays down His life for the flock (John 10:11-13).
Summary
The shepherds in the Old Testament give us a peek into how much God cares for His people and point to Jesus as the ultimate Good Shepherd. Their lives and messages show us essential parts of Jesus’ ministry: His leadership, sacrificial love, protection, and prophetic role in standing up to false leaders and offering salvation to the flock. Jesus perfectly embodies the prophetic and shepherding roles, showing us precisely what the shepherd-prophets were pointing to through their lives and ministries.
Shepherding in the New Testament
The primary focus of shepherding in the New Testament is spiritual leadership and care—a metaphor for how church leaders are responsible for guiding, protecting, and nurturing God’s people. Obviously, Jesus is the ultimate model for church leaders. Jesus demonstrates sacrificial love and intimate knowledge of his flock, able to lead and protect them.
When Jesus restores Peter after his death and resurrection, he commands Peter to tend His flock. Jesus is entrusting the care of those He is calling to Himself, asking Peter to feed, nurture, and care for the flock.
Then, in the Epistles, this work of shepherding is reiterated and assigned to the church’s elders. Paul and Peter speak of this work:
Speaking to the church in Ephesus, Paul says: “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.” (Acts 20:28-29)
“To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” (1 Peter 5:1-4)
The Ultimate Shepherd
As stated before, Jesus is the ultimate shepherd. Notice these few references:
When Jesus saw the masses, hurting and lost, he saw them through the eyes of a shepherd:
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:35-36)
The author of Hebrews prays this beautiful prayer: “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Imagine that the Good Shepherd is the One who equips you to do the work He has prepared for you to do.
Lastly, one of the final scenes in Revelation is so beautiful – the sacrificial Lamb is the conquering Shepherd: “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Do you hear it?
Do you know it?
That still small voice –
The voice of love
It’s calling you
Calling me, come –
To forests deep
Through waters calm
Down sunlit paths
In deep, dark pits
But always safe
Our leader’s care
His grip, fierce love
For us, his sheep
Good Shepherd, he.
~ Original, 2009