“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” — John 10:11 (NIV)

Sheep have a bad reputation ~ for being stupid. So it can be somewhat disconcerting to know God often likens us to sheep in the Scriptures. To be fair, sheep do possess certain characteristics which may have earned them their reputation. They tend to eat anything ~ even if it is toxic. Prone to wander, sheep can easily get separated from the herd and fall prey to predators. When not wandering, sheep follow the others in their flock. If the leader falls off the cliff, so does the rest of the herd. 

But lately I read a commentary which suggested describing sheep with the word dependent in place of stupid. Sheep need a shepherd to guide them to good pasture, to stop them from straying into danger, and to keep the entire flock together and safe. 

Like sheep, we need a shepherd. The Bible tells us that as Jesus traveled and taught in the different towns and villages, He looked out at the crowds and “ had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36b NIV emphasis added).

Later Jesus declared His fourth I AM Statement:

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11 NIV)

When making this declaration, Jesus compared Himself to a hired hand. In His culture, shepherds often did not own the sheep they tended. The owner of a herd appointed or hired someone to care for the sheep. A trustworthy shepherd cared for the sheep as though they were his own. David spoke of protecting his father’s sheep from attacks from lions and bears (1 Samuel 17:34-35). 

But other shepherds, the ones whom Jesus described as hired hands, only cared about their paycheck. Because they did not care for the sheep, they deserted them when a wolf attacked (John 10:12-13). 

Jesus, as the good shepherd, promised to lay down His life in protection of His sheep. By giving His life on the cross, Jesus fulfilled this promise. Through His sacrifice we receive the gift of salvation. But until we reach our eternal home, we continue to live in this broken world. Like sheep we can be prone to wander, which opens us up to Satan’s attacks. We still need the protection of our shepherd. 

In Jesus’ time shepherds used two tools in their work~ the rod and the staff. The rod was a short, heavy club. The shepherd used this tool to defend the sheep against predators like wolves. Other times they used this tool to prod the sheep in the favored direction. But when a sheep was stubborn, and refused to follow the prodding of the rod, the shepherd used his staff. This tool was thinner, with a hook at the end. The shepherd would use the hook to pull the sheep back into the fold. He also used the hook to pull sheep away from danger. 

In Psalm 23, David beautifully describes the Lord as a shepherd and mentions these tools:

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 NIV)

As Christians, we are not immune to hardship as we live in this world. But as David notes, even when we go through our darkest times, the Lord walks with us. And with His rod and staff, He guides and protects us. 

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for being our good shepherd and for laying down Your life for us. May we always take comfort in Your presence, and in Your staff and rod with which You guide and protect us. We pray this in Your Holy Name. Amen.