What does it mean for Jesus to be our shepherd? 

He says in John 10:11 that He is our shepherd. Not just a shepherd, but a good shepherd.

© Abbie Dreamer. You may not save, redistribute, or repost my artwork in any way.

"I am the Good Shepherd"

I sketched this in July of 2023 when I was reading through John. (Surprise! This is a 2023 piece!) Sheep were really on the mind, especially in John 10 where Jesus is comparing Himself to a shepherd. Jesus cares for us like a good shepherd who actively cares for every one of His sheep. If a single sheep goes astray, he will leave the whole flock to find the ONE single sheep that’s lost. 

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish”

Matthew 18:12-14 NIV

Jesus cares for us with that same individuality and specificity. He seeks you--yes, you!--out because He loves YOU and wants your heart! Everyone else in this world doesn't matter if He doesn't have you!

God has been faithful to me and shown me these last few years that no matter what I do or how far gone I feel, He’s still going to be there for me. He promises to never leave or forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:8, Hebrews 13:5), and He means it! He’s still going to pursue me and bring me back to His heart and the safety of His love, just like a shepherd bringing his sheep back to the flock.

And He’s done so countless times, meeting me in the midst of my shame and loneliness. He met me time and time again when I felt I was undeserving of His love after I went time and time again back to the sin He died for. He didn’t have to pursue me and restore me to His love, but He did!

If He’s done that for me, you can bet He will do the same for you.

Not only does Jesus pursue us when we go astray, but He also guides us. He goes before us and prepares the way for us. 

Psalms 23 says that He makes us lie down in green pastures and leads us by still waters. When we walk with Him and let Jesus lead the way, He’ll provide everything we need along the journey. We can rest in the provision He provides, according to the riches of heaven (Philippians 4:19).

He even cares for us and loves us so much that He’d willingly lay down His life for us. And He did!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 NIV

Jesus’ death on the cross was the ultimate display of His love for us (John 15:13). He didn’t have to die for us and could’ve decided He was done with us. He had every opportunity and more than enough power to stop the lashes on His back, to stop the crowd’s jeers, to stop the slow crucifixion. There wasn’t even a guarantee that we would love Him in the same way He loves us, so why would He die for us?

But no, He pushed on with the painful death on a cross because He knew that being able to love us and be in relationship with us was so worth it. We are the joy that was set before Him. The chance to freely lavish love on you and me was enough motivation for Him to endure the cross (Hebrews 12:2)!

He died to have that relationship with you.  He died so that the punishment of sin, death, and condemnation would not have to fall on you! He died for all sins, past, present, and future, so they no longer have a hold on you!

He came back to life to show and there’s nothing that can come between you and Him anymore. Sin has no more power because Jesus has conquered death!

He did all that for you and me! He loves you so, so much!

The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). And since we are God’s sheep… that makes Jesus the beautifully good shepherd who laid down His life for us!

Thank you Jesus that you willingly died for us to come into relationship with you! Thank you for your love as our good shepherd!

What does it mean for Jesus to be your shepherd? Does it change your perspective of how you approach Jesus, and life? I know it did for me!