The Good Shepherd

by Jill Rhodes

August 2005

"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."
John 10:11

To say, 'The Lord is my shepherd,' must carry with it in our understanding not merely grateful praise for the infinite grace and tenderness of the Great Shepherd who leads us by still waters and in green pastures, but confession of our helplessness and need of a shepherd's care.  And a remembrance of our lost, undone condition.
(T. C. Horton & Charles E. Hurlburt)

He has been doing it from the beginning of time.  From the portals of heaven the Lord had been leading, guiding, providing, protecting, feeding, watching, rescuing, caring, calling... shepherding.  From the wilderness wanderings of their past to the green pastures of their future, He bid His sheep to 'come', inviting His flock to follow.

Yet, He knew that sheep were bound to wander, going astray at every turn.  Now He had come to open the door and call the sheep to the fold; to lead His flock like a shepher, gathering the lambs in His arms and holding them close to His heart.  But in leading them to safe pasture, He would do far more than open the door, He would in fact become the door, the only way to everlasing protection and peace.  And He would do so by setting down His rod and taking up a rugged cross, as H laid down His life for His sheep.

"I am the good shepherd,"  Jesus declared, "My Sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me and I give eternal life to them."  The wandering flock was finally on its way home.

Come and See

The Care of the Good Shepherd

1.  In 2 Samuel 7:8 and Matthew 2:6, God connects the role of shepherding a flock with ruling a nation.  Why would God choose a shepherd King?

2.  What can you learn about the quality and care of a good shepherd from the following verses?  Isaiah 40:11,  Ezekiel 34:16,  Matthew 9:36

By the Book ~ When speaking of His work in bringing His people out of Egypt, the Lord often referred to it in terms of shepherding.  The book of Exodus paints this beautiful picture in living color as God's manifest presence and power were displayed toward Israel in rescuing, guiding, guarding, feeding, healing, and managing His flock with faithfulness and loving-kindness until they reached the safety of the fold He had prepared for them.  The Shepherd's tender care was evident at every turn as He resolutely led His flock forward into the promised pastures of peace He had especially prepared just for them.  It is the same destination He has for each of us today, if only we will follow.

3.  How did Jesus describe the relationship of sheep to their shepherd in John 10:2-4?

How do you listen for the Shepherd's voice in your day to day living?

4.  What promises does Jesus give concerning His sheep in the following verses?  John 10:3, John 10:9, John 10:28 
     What do these promises mean to you?

"Those sheep which remain in the shepherd's personal care are the ones which derive
and draw their very life from His provision and possession of them.
They have at their disposal all the resources of his ranch." 
(Phillip Keller)

The Courage of the Good Shepherd

5.  What did Jesus warn His disciples about in Matthew 26:31?  What assurance did He give them in verse 32?  How is this an encouragement to you?

6.  As He walked toward the cross, how did Christ demonstrate His care for His sheep in the following verses? 
Matt. 21:12-14;  Matt. 26:26-29;  Luke 23:42-43;  John 17:12-15;  John 18:8-9

7.  How was the authority of the Good Shepherd (John 10:18) evident in the life and death of Christ?

8.  In Psalm 28:9, what four things did David ask the Lord to do?
    How was this prayer answered through the Good Shepherd?

The safety and survival of the sheep depended wholly on the Good Shepherd.
If not for His strong arms and steadfast heart alone,
His sheep were hopeless and helpless.
Their preservation was His solitary preoccupation.

The Commitment of the Good Shepherd

9.  Given the fact that Jesus laid down His very life for you, how committed do you think He is to your daily provision and protection?

10.  How do you see Jesus shepherding Peter in John 21:12-17?
      How does this relate to you as a disciple who cares for His sheep?

11.  Describe the last picture of the Good Shepherd in Scripture (Rev. 7:16-17).
      What is most encouraging to you about this day to come?

The Road to Emmaus ~  One of the most personal and practical pictures throughout the Scriptures is of the Lord shepherding His people.  The tenderness and tenacity of this image spoke volumes to the nomadic people of Bible times, yet the portrait is timeless and endearing to each of the sheep who rest in the care of the Good Shepherd:

• In Psalm - Psalm 23
  What is your favorite phrase in this psalm?  Why?
• In Prophecy - Ezekiel 34
  As the Good Shepherd, what is the Lord able to do beyond that of any other shepherd (v. 25-27)?
• In Parable - Luke 15:1-7
  What do you think the shepherd does in this story which is above and beyond the call of duty

Come and Follow

12.  Who is a thief and robber according to John 10:1?  Who is the door (John 10:9)?
       Have you personally entered the fold through Christ alone?

*  If you cannot recall a specific time and place when you accepted Jesus as your Savior, realizing He is the only door to a future in heaven, you can do it right now.  The Good Shepherd is offering you eternal life this very moment, but you must take Jesus for yourself.  If that is the desire of your heart, pray this way:

Dear Lord Jesus,
       I know that I have sinned and need your forgiveness.  I thank You for dying on the cross as a willing sacrifice for my sin.  Please come into my life and be my Savior and Lord.  Thank you for forgiving me and giving me eternal life.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

13.  What quality of Jesus as Good Shepherd has meant the most to you in your own life?  Why?

14.  Are you following closely to your Shepherd, or is there any area in which you've wandered away?  
      Pray that the Good Shepherd will lead you to fresh, green pastures of intimacy with Him.

"Jesus, who silently and willingly gave His life as an atonement for the sin of the world,
is the only One worthy to lead the people whom He died to save."

Name Above All Names

At the name of Jesus every knee will bow... and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.  (Philippians 2:10-11)

~  My Shepherd - Psalm 23:1

~ The Mediator - 1 Timothy 2:5-6a

~ An Offering - Ephesians 5:2

~ The Door of the Sheep - John 10:7

~ Resting Place -  Jeremiah 50:6

~ The Great Shepherd of the Sheep - Hebrews 13:20

~ The Chief Shepherd - 1 Peter 5:4

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Used with permission from Jill Rhodes' Bible Study "Come and Behold Him", A Study of the Names of Jesus