“30 Pictures of Jesus” 30 Day PlanНамуна

Today we see Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

From the very beginning, God pictured his people as a flock. In Eden, Adam was called to rule creation like a shepherd, guarding and guiding God’s creatures into life. Later, Israel’s kings were meant to be shepherds who led God’s people with justice, protecting them from enemies and feeding them with truth. But again and again, Israel’s leaders failed. Instead of caring for the sheep, they devoured them (Ezekiel 34:2–4). God promised that one day he himself would come to shepherd his flock and raise up a faithful shepherd from David’s line (Ezekiel 34:11, 23).

In John 10, Jesus claims to be that shepherd. Unlike thieves and hired hands who climb in only to harm the sheep, Jesus enters by the gate. His sheep recognize his voice because he calls them by name and leads them out to safety (John 10:3–4). He is not a stranger who abandons the flock when danger comes. He lays down his life for them (John 10:11).

This is the difference between every failed shepherd and Jesus. The kings of Israel used their power to protect themselves, but Jesus uses his power to protect us. False shepherds scatter when wolves approach, but Jesus steps into danger to save his flock. He dies so that the sheep might live. And because he rises again, no thief, wolf, or death itself can snatch his sheep from his hand.

This is good news. The God who promised to shepherd his people has come in Jesus. He knows our names. He guides us into life. He lays down his life for us and takes it up again so we can follow him forever. And one day, Jesus says, he will gather one flock from every nation under his care, and there will be one Shepherd over all (John 10:16).