Jesus: The Good Shepherd
LINDSAY FARNSWORTH | APRIL 19, 2026
The image of the shepherd is woven throughout the very fabric of the Bible. It appears over 200 times, while sheep are mentioned more than 500 times. When David penned the famous words, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want," he wasn't just reaching for a poetic metaphor. He was describing a way of life he knew intimately.
In biblical society, sheep were the cornerstone of survival. They provided milk, meat, and clothing, functioning much like currency or modern trade assets. When Scripture speaks of shepherds, it speaks of the ultimate provider and protector. As we look at the tenth chapter of John, we can better understand what it truly means for us that Jesus identifies as the Good Shepherd.
1. We Are Like Sheep
The first truth we must embrace is a humbling one: we are remarkably like sheep. In the natural world, sheep lack strong self-preservation instincts. They are prone to wandering; a flash of curiosity leads them away from the flock, and they often lack the sense of direction required to find their way back. They might even consume food that is harmful to them without realizing it can lead to death.
"We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own devices..." Isaiah 53:6
We might start down a path, make a few seemingly small decisions, and suddenly find ourselves distant from our center and the people we once did life with. We wander away, yet we don't always know how to navigate the road home.
"For ‘you were like sheep going astray,’ but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." 1 Peter 2:25
Sheep are entirely dependent creatures. They need a shepherd to lead them to new pastures, identify when they are falling ill, and help them through daily struggles. Most importantly, sheep know their shepherd’s voice. They will not follow a stranger because the frequency of that voice is unfamiliar to them.
"You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord." Ezekiel 34:31.
2. Jesus is the Gate
In biblical times, sheep were often kept in circular stone folds. These structures did not have wooden doors or iron gates. Instead, the shepherd would physically lay his own body across the opening at night. He literally became the door, keeping the sheep in and the thieves out.
"Therefore Jesus said again, 'Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep... whoever enters through me will be saved.'" John 10:7-10
This provides a beautiful parallel to the story of Nehemiah. When Nehemiah returned to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, the very first section mentioned in the restoration is the Sheep Gate (Nehemiah 3:1-10). This wasn't merely a gate for commerce; it was the specific path through which animals were brought to the temple for sacrifice to cover the people's sins.
When Jesus calls Himself "the Gate," He is identifying as the path to salvation and the covering for our mistakes. Through His sacrifice, we find freedom and open pasture. He stands as our protector against the "thief" who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:1-2).
3. A Deeply Personal Connection
A shepherd’s relationship with his sheep is not distant or clinical; it is deeply personal.
"He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out... his sheep follow him because they know his voice." John 10:3-5
Your walk with the Lord is unique to you. Whether through a quiet intuition, the wisdom of Scripture, or a stirring in your spirit, Jesus speaks to you in a way you can recognize. Unlike a "hired hand" who flees when trouble arises, Jesus stands His ground. He doesn't run from your struggles; instead, He is always there to protect and cover you.
"The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away... The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep." John 10:12-13
He is the shepherd who would leave the ninety-nine in the fold to go out and find the one lost lamb (Luke 15:4).
4. The Great Exchange
The most profound element of this narrative is the Great Exchange. In the second chapter of Luke, we see shepherds visiting the baby Jesus. He was found wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger, which is the exact imagery of where those Passover lambs would have been laying.
This was a prophetic picture: The Good Shepherd became the Lamb of God. We were destined for a life apart from the presence of God because of our sins, but our Shepherd took our place as the ultimate sacrifice on the cross.
"The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord." John 10:17-18
He also made it clear that His care extends to everyone. He is not just a shepherd for one group, but for all who hear His voice, regardless of background or past mistakes (John 10:16).
5. Our Call to Lead
Finally, the Good Shepherd calls us to follow His example. In John 21, Jesus asks Peter three times if he truly loves Him. When Peter answers yes, Jesus gives a specific command: "Feed my lambs... Take care of my sheep."
Peter took this commission to heart and eventually passed it on to all of us. He encourages us to step into the role of shepherds in our own communities, offering spiritual oversight and guidance.
"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..." 1 Peter 5:2-4
We are called to provide spiritual oversight, to protect one another, and to guide those around us toward the truth. We don't do this through our own strength, but by walking closely with other believers and staying anchored to the Chief Shepherd.
As you move through your week, listen for His voice. He is calling you by name, ready to lead you beside still waters and restore your soul.
