Jesus as the Good Shepherd - What it Really Means
If you’ve been a Christian even for a short time, you’ve probably heard the term “Good Shepherd,” at least in passing. But, it’s also entirely possible that you’ve never really given much thought to what it actually means.
That was definitely the case with me.
In fact, I can’t even really remember when I had heard it before this year… I’m sure I did at some point. But, it hadn’t ever really “registered” until earlier this year when I was in the middle of a very active time period of the Lord giving me “downloads.”
One day in March, the Holy Spirit gave me this rhema word:
“Follow My lead and I will show you where to go. You can feel Me in you all the time, leading the way and directing your steps. I won’t steer you wrong.”
I put those couple words in bold-print because that’s how I felt them in my spirit when He said them. He was very much emphasizing the fact that He was leading, guiding and steering me (us). Which then, led me head-first into a study with the Holy Spirit about Jesus as the Good Shepherd and what that actually means. Not just in a pretty, figurative way. But, in our actual, waking life.
But, to really appreciate that, we have to understand two things first:
The Biblical analogy that we are sheep.
Some unique traits about sheep.
There’s not really much to say about the first part. The Bible/God refers to us as sheep, period. Out of all the animals and creatures in the world He could’ve compared us to, He picked sheep. Not exactly flattering for us, I know. But, before you get all offended and click out to go shop on Amazon, let me tell you some interesting things about sheep.
Sheep are pretty much directionless, defenseless animals. Their natural inclination in fact, is to get themselves in trouble. If left to their own devices, they will get themselves into all kinds of perilous situations. But, notice the very specific correlation between some of these traits and the words of Psalm 23 (David’s famous Psalm - “The Lord is My Shepherd”.)
Sheep will continue to graze and eat in a particular area until it’s completely bare and there’s no grass left. Which is why it is important for a shepherd to consistently lead them to new green pastures. (verse 2 - He makes me lie down in green pastures).
Sheep don’t always lie down on their own, so the shepherd has to physically make them lie down to rest. (verse 2 - He makes me lie down in green pastures)
They are also afraid of flowing water and will not take a drink from it unless it is still, which could leave them dehydrated if the shepherd doesn’t intervene. (verse 2 - he leads me beside quiet waters)
Sheep also depend heavily on their vision and will hesitate to go where they can’t see.
Sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for their safety and well-being.
If you’re not already tracking with me… see any similarities there between us and these lovable lumps of wool?
Sheep are consumers. They will eat and eat and eat until there’s nothing left. The same way in which we are often guilty of overindulging and living outside of our means. They also won’t lie down on their own and need to be made to rest. Again, sound familiar workaholics and hustlers?
They will literally dehydrate themselves by going too long without getting a drink of water, in the same way that we become parched if we don’t drink from the living water of God’s Word and His Spirit on a regular basis.
Like the sheep, how often are we guilty of depending only on what we see and hesitating to go where God has called us to go because we cannot see the way? It’s why the Scriptures tell us to live by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).
But perhaps, the most compelling is the simple truth that sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd and the Bible says to us in Isaiah 30:15, “Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on Me” (MSG translation).
When we settle down in complete dependence on God… when we accept it… relax into it and acknowledge that we are completely dependent on Him… that’s when and where we find our strength.
But, that’s not all. There’s a few other traits about sheep that seem eerily familiar.
Sheep will easily get themselves stuck in deep water and need to be rescued. And if they find themselves flipped over on their backs, are unable to get up on their own. And again, need to be rescued. (You can make that association on your own.)
But, what’s really interesting is how sheep act with other sheep.
First of all, sheep are known to be followers. Quite literally. In fact, there was a real news story in Turkey in 2005, when not one… not two… but FIFTEEN HUNDRED sheep voluntarily walked right off a cliff to their death because they were following one sheep that did it first.
I won’t get on my soapbox here, but if there was ever a perfect analogy for human nature, that would be it. One person does it… then another… then another. And soon everyone is doing it because everyone else is doing it, without half of them ever even stopping to think about why they’re doing “it” in the first place.
Sheep also have a “flocking” instinct when they are in danger. Whereas, other animals tend to “fight” or “flight,” sheep do neither. They wouldn’t be able to outrun their predators and they aren’t strong enough to fight. So instead, they gather together with the others, panic, run around in circles and basically hope that the predator picks someone else off instead of them.
You might not like this analogy and think it’s a rude comparison. Yet, what’s the first thing that happened when the corona virus started? Panic, people running around like crazy gathering up all the toilet paper they could find just to make sure they were safe and taken care of. Hmm…
So, now that we all feel embarrassingly aware of our helplessness as sheep, let’s look at the role of a shepherd for a minute.
Shepherds tend, feed and guard their sheep. They protect them, feed them, heal them and guide them. Basically, their primary responsibility is to watch out for the safety and welfare of the flock.
So again, we see Jesus taking care of us in each of these responsibilities between the shepherd and his sheep:
He guides them to green pastures so they have plenty to eat (Jesus is our provider)
He guides them to still waters (Jesus refreshes us with living water and gives us peace)
He protects them from predators (Jesus intercedes on our behalf, fights against our enemies and protects us from danger)
He gives them a place to rest (Jesus gives us peace)
He protects their health and shears them so they don’t drown (Jesus prunes away stuff that is slowly harming or killing us)
He doesn’t drive the flock, he leads them (like the rhema word He gave me, Jesus leads us and guides us on the paths we should follow)
“All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet, the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all.” (Is 53:6)
“When Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matt 9:36)
Jesus has compassion on us because He sees us as we truly are - harassed by life and helpless to make any real, lasting change without Him. He sees our needs and He wants to take care of us. He is the Good Shepherd.
Perhaps, most importantly, is the fact that a shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A good shepherd (one who actually cares about his sheep and takes his job seriously) will lay down to sleep at the gate where the sheep have been penned for the night, so a wolf would literally have to attack him first to get to them. Just as Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us and laid down His life so that we may be saved.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
As I studied this with the Holy Spirit though, He took me deeper into WHY all of this is so important for the Body of Christ.
John 10:1-2 tells us that unlike a thief or robber (the enemy and false prophets/leaders) who climbs over a wall to get to the sheep, the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The Gatekeeper (God) opens the gate for Him (Jesus) and the sheep (believers) recognize His voice and come to Him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out (vs. 3).
God has sent Jesus to call out His children by name and lead them out of the world into His Kingdom. (“My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.” -John 10:29). We recognize His voice and we follow Him.
But, we must heed the warning Jesus gives in John 10:9 - “Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through Me will be saved.”
Not only does Jesus enter through the gate when the Father opens it, Jesus is the gate. And the only way to be saved is to enter through Him.
Which is why it is SO important, especially in these times, to make sure you are IN CHRIST and haven’t entered through another “gate.” I will be releasing an entirely separate word about the “two sides of the road” soon. But basically, there is a danger to being “saved” through either extreme - religious tradition and works or charismatic signs and wonders, because both can leave you outside of an actual relationship and covenant with Christ.
If you “enter” through the gate of religious ritual or the temporary high of a mystical experience, you can be in danger of not truly knowing Jesus and having fallen prey to one of the thieves and robbers who comes over the wall.
Remember, the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). So, his goal is to steal sheep from Jesus by taking them into his fold. Kill them physically or spiritually. Or destroy them by keeping them snared in strongholds and bondage.
While, Jesus’ purpose is to give [us] a rich and satisfying life (John 10:10). Like a good shepherd, making sure His sheep are well-fed, watered, tended to, rested and protected.
When we do come in through the gate of Christ, we “will come and go freely and will find good pastures” (John 10:9b).
In another rhema word I received from the Lord that month, He had said: “You can come and go as you please, you know. It’s not a prison or institution. Just follow my lead and I will show you where to go.”
He had spoken this word to me because, at the time, I had started to turn following the Spirit into another form of bondage (the layers of perfectionism/works can run deep!). And He wanted me to know that I could move freely and just trust that He would show me where I needed to go. Which is exactly reflected and confirmed in this verse from John 10.
It’s funny because I had received this teaching/download from the Holy Spirit all the way back in March, but hadn’t felt prompted to release it until now. Especially after I received another encouraging word from Him this morning that relates to it (which I will share in a moment). But, I think that’s because right now, it is more important than ever for God’s people to relax and rest in Him as their shepherd.
The world is quickly getting darker and more chaotic and will continue to do so as we move forward in these times. But, we can have peace, rest and provision in the midst of it by leaning completely on our shepherd and trusting in Him to guide us.
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
Remember, no matter how dark things may get in the world, He is with you and you have nothing to fear. But, I’ll just let Him tell you that Himself.
Rhema word from today:
“Come to me, all who are weary and lay down to rest. For the yoke is easy and the burden is light. There is rest and peace here in My arms. I am the Good Shepherd and I give you rest. I make you lie down in green pastures. I take you by the hand and lead you where you need to go. I am with you always - to the ends of the earth. Before time began and til the end of the age. I am with you. Never forget that. I am neither far nor forsaken. I am with you always. My love, My precious masterpiece. I love you and I am with you. Always.”
