“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
“good” = kalos = beautiful or excellent. There are two words in the Greek for good, this one and agathos which describes the moral quality of a thing or person. Jesus used kalos to describe Himself. Temple observes that “it is important that the word for ‘good’ here is one that represents, not the moral rectitude of goodness, nor its austerity; but its attractiveness. We must not forget that our vocation is to practice virtue that men are won to it; it is possible to be morally upright repulsively!” There is a loveliness in the goodness of Jesus, an attractiveness that draws men to Him. That is also the type of goodness we are to exhibit. We are never to drive men away by our unbending, legalistic observance of the law.
“the” good shepherd = Jesus did not say that He is “a” good shepherd; He is the one and only Good Shepherd. A good shepherd will risk his life for the sheep (1 Sam 17:35, Isa 31:4). He may even die for his sheep. But if he does, that is just an accident; his intention, as Morris points out, was to live for his sheep, not to die for them. “The” Good Shepherd, on the other hand, “lays down his life for the sheep.” Jesus is going to voluntary lay His life down for the sheep in complete foreknowledge and certainty of that death. That is His purpose.
1 Samuel 17:35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.
Isaiah 31:4 This is what the LORD says to me: “As a lion growls, a great lion over his prey—and though a whole band of shepherds is called together against him, he is not frightened by their shouts or disturbed by their clamour—so the LORD Almighty will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and on its heights.
There is a great deal of difference in the outcome of the death of the above-mentioned shepherds. If a good shepherd dies, it spells disaster for his sheep since there is no longer anyone to protect or care for them; if the Good Shepherd dies, it brings about life for all of His flock.
Jesus is a unique shepherd. He alone was a lamb before He became a shepherd (Rev 7:17) so He knows exactly how we feel and what we must go through. This enables Him to not only empathize with our struggles, but to also be able tp perfectly help us to overcome them (Heb 2:17-18).
Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Hebrews 2:17-18 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
What does a shepherd do?
- Leads (Psalms 23:2, Isa 40:11, John 10:3)
Psalms 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
Isaiah 40:11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
John 10:3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. - Protects (Psalms 23:4, Micah 5:4, Eze 34:25, John 10:28)
Psalms 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Micah 5:4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.
Ezekiel 34:25 “‘I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of wild beasts so that they may live in the desert and sleep in the forests in safety.
John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my hand. - Restores those that stray or get hurt (Psalms 23:3, Eze 34:12, 16)
Psalms 23:3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Ezekiel 34:12 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.
Ezekiel 34:16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice. - Comforts (Psalms 23:4)
Psalms 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. - Feeds (Psalms 23:5)
Psalms 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. - Provides (Psalms 23:1)
Psalms 23:1 A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. - Gives his sheep peace (Micah 5:5, Eze 34:25, 37:26)
Micah 5:5 And he will be their peace. When the Assyrian invades our land and marches through our fortresses, we will raise against him seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men.
Ezekiel 34:25 “‘I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of wild beasts so that they may live in the desert and sleep in the forests in safety.
Ezekiel 37:26 I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them for ever. - Enables his sheep (“anoint”) (Psalms 23:5)
Psalms 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. - Guides (Psalms 23:3, Eze 37:24)
Psalms 23:3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Ezekiel 37:24 “‘My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees. - Loves his sheep (Isaiah 40:11)
Isaiah 40:11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. - Lives with his sheep (Eze 37:27)
Ezekiel 37:27 My dwelling-place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people.
Jesus is our Good Shepherd. He does every one of these things for us!