Pastor column: I am the Good Shepherd
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
The word “good” in the Greek language refers “to goodness in the sense of capability.” In other words, Jesus uses the imagery of a shepherd to portray Himself as being the kind of Savior who “gets the job done.”
He’s telling us here the same thing the writer of Hebrews wrote when he said that Jesus is a Savior who “is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him” (Hebrews 7:25 Amplified Version).
Jesus the Good Shepherd is committed to His sheep and concerned about His sheep. His commitment was demonstrated by laying down His life on the cross for us. His concern is intimate and personal. He’s absolutely trustworthy — a Savior who can “get the job done.”
Jesus is not a hired hand, He is the Good Shepherd. He knows who His sheep are and will never let them out of His sight. He can be trusted fully because He is fully trustworthy. Perhaps there is no better tribute to our Good Shepherd than that given by David is Psalm 23 — ”The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (vs. 1).
There was an actor who was well known for his recitations from the classics. He would end his performance by reading Psalm 23. Each night, as he began reading, the crowd listened attentively. At the conclusion, they would rise in thunderous applause of the actor’s incredible ability to bring the verse to life.
One night, before the actor offered to read the Psalm 23, a young man from the audience spoke up. “Sir, do you mind if I recite Psalm 23?” The actor, surprised by the request, allowed the young man to recite the Psalm, knowing that this unskilled youth would be no match for his own talent.
With a soft voice, the young man recited the words of the Psalm. When he was finished there was no applause, no standing ovation. Instead, the audience was so moved that every eye was full of tears.
Amazed by what he had heard, the actor said to the young man, “I don’t understand. I have been performing Psalm 23 for years. I have a lifetime of experience and training, but I have never been able to move an audience as you have tonight. Tell me, what is your secret?” The young man simply replied, “Sir, you know the Psalm but I know the Shepherd.”
Jesus chose to lay down his life for his sheep. Jesus offered His life as a sacrifice for the sheep. The sheep were in mortal danger not from beasts but from sin and He sacrificed Himself for our sake. There has never been a greater demonstration of love than the sacrifice made by our Good Shepherd.
Rev. J. Patrick Street is the lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Marion. He can be reached at coachpatstreet@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Jesus is the Good Shepherd who is committed to his sheep
