Why We Need a Shepherd and Why God Gave Us Jesus
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I have often pondered why God chose to describe Himself as our Shepherd and us as His sheep. It seems like such a simple analogy, yet it carries profound meaning. The imagery of a shepherd caring for a flock is a theme that echoes throughout Scripture, from the Old Testament to the New. And, in Jesus, God fulfilled the ultimate role of Shepherd, providing us with the care, protection, and guidance that we so desperately need.
The Need for a Shepherd
When I consider the life of a sheep, I realize how vulnerable and dependent they are. Sheep are not known for their intelligence; they are prone to wander off, get lost, and find themselves in danger. They need constant supervision, protection from predators, and guidance to find food and water. In many ways, we are like sheep—prone to wander, easily distracted by the things of this world, and often unaware of the dangers that lurk around us.
Isaiah 53:6 says it plainly: "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." This verse reminds me that, left to my own devices, I tend to go astray. Without a shepherd, I am lost. I need someone to guide me, to show me the way, and to protect me from the dangers I cannot see.
God understood this need from the very beginning. He knew that we, His creation, would need a Shepherd to lead us. In Ezekiel 34:11-12, God says, "For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness." This is the heart of our God—He seeks us out, rescues us, and lovingly cares for us.
Why God Gave Us Jesus
The ultimate expression of God's love for us as His sheep is found in Jesus. When I think about why God gave us Jesus, I see it as the fulfillment of His promise to be our Shepherd. In John 10:11, Jesus declares, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." Jesus is the embodiment of God's shepherding heart. He didn’t just come to lead us; He came to save us by laying down His life for us.
Jesus’ role as the Good Shepherd is multi-faceted. He is the one who knows us intimately, who calls us by name, and who leads us to green pastures. In John 10:14-15, Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep." This personal relationship between the Shepherd and His sheep is a picture of the relationship God desires with each of us. He knows us, and we are invited to know Him.
One of the most comforting aspects of having Jesus as our Shepherd is knowing that He provides for our needs. Psalm 23 is perhaps the most well-known passage of Scripture that depicts God as our Shepherd. It begins, "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." When I trust Jesus as my Shepherd, I can rest in the assurance that He will provide for me. Whether it is spiritual nourishment, guidance, or protection, Jesus meets all of my needs.
But Jesus didn’t come just to provide for us physically; He came to give us eternal life. In John 10:10, Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." This abundant life is not just about the here and now—it is about the eternal security that we have in Him. Jesus laid down His life so that we could be saved from sin and death and have eternal life with Him.
The Shepherd’s Sacrifice
The ultimate act of shepherding is seen in Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. When I reflect on why God gave us Jesus, I am reminded of the price He paid for our salvation. Isaiah 53:5-7 describes Jesus as the suffering servant, likening Him to a lamb led to the slaughter: "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds, we are healed." Jesus, the Good Shepherd, became the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
His sacrifice was not just a one-time event; it was the fulfillment of God’s plan to rescue His lost sheep. Jesus willingly laid down His life for us, demonstrating the depth of His love and the extent of His commitment to His flock. This is the essence of the Gospel—the Good News that God, in His infinite love and mercy, provided a way for us to be reconciled to Him through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Following the Shepherd’s Lead
Having a Shepherd like Jesus means that I am not left to navigate this life on my own. He leads me, guides me, and shows me the way. In John 10:27-28, Jesus says, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand." This promise gives me great comfort and peace. As I follow Jesus, I can trust that He will lead me along the right paths.
But following the Shepherd requires that I listen to His voice. It is easy to get distracted by the noise of the world, to follow after things that promise fulfillment but leave me empty. Yet Jesus calls me to stay close to Him, to listen to His voice, and to follow His lead. He knows the way, and He will not lead me astray.
In times of uncertainty, when I don’t know which way to go, I am reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." Following Jesus as my Shepherd means that I trust Him, even when I don’t understand the path He is leading me on. I can rest in the knowledge that He sees the bigger picture and knows what is best for me.
The Shepherd’s Flock
One of the beautiful aspects of Jesus as our Shepherd is that He is not just my Shepherd—He is the Shepherd of a vast flock. I am part of a larger community of believers, all following the same Shepherd. In John 10:16, Jesus says, "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." This reminds me that God’s plan of salvation is for all people. He desires that everyone would come to know Him and follow Him as their Shepherd.
Being part of the Shepherd’s flock means that I am not alone. I have brothers and sisters in Christ who are walking this journey with me. We are called to support and encourage one another, to help each other stay close to the Shepherd, and to reach out to those who are lost. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us, saying, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
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In the end, I am grateful that God gave us Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Without Him, I would be lost, wandering in the wilderness of life, vulnerable to the dangers that seek to pull me away from God. But with Jesus as my Shepherd, I am safe, secure, and provided for. He leads me, guides me, and ultimately laid down His life for me. Through Him, I have abundant life now and the promise of eternal life to come.
As I follow Jesus, I am reminded daily of the profound love that God has for His sheep. He did not leave us to fend for ourselves; He came to us, sought us out, and gave us the ultimate Shepherd—Jesus Christ. My prayer is that I would always listen to His voice, follow His lead, and trust in His care, for He is the Shepherd of my soul.
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