I Am the Good Shepherd - Essay Example

? I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD First Middle initial and Number and March 5, Jesus called himself the good shepherd. This statement made by Jesus is recorded in Jn 10:11 (New International Version) which reads “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” On closely examining the events that surround this statement, we realize that Jesus had just revealed himself as the light of the world while he was teaching in the temple complex (Jn 8:12). On hearing this, the Pharisees stated that this testimony is not valid because Jesus was testifying about himself (Jn 8:13). In response Jesus passed judgment on the Pharisees and on the temple itself. Later Jesus and his disciples see a man who was blind from birth. When the disciples asked Jesus if it was the sins of this man or his parents that made this man blind, Jesus responded by saying that neither of this was the case and that this man was born blind so that God’s works might be displayed in him (Jn 9:3). Jesus then restores the sight of this man, thereby giving a sign that bears witness to his claim of being the light of the world. This sign pointed to something beyond itself to reveal who and what Jesus was and what he habitually did (Morris 1989). The Pharisees however condemn this act and state that this man was born in sin (Jn 9:34) which was in complete opposition to what Jesus had said that neither this man nor his parents sinned. They continued to question the man who was healed from his blindness about the manner in which Jesus healed him and tried to disprove that Jesus was sent from God. The Pharisees then threw out the blind man from the temple whom Christ had healed (Jn 9:34). Hearing about these discussions Jesus condemns the Pharisees and accused them of being spiritually blind – a condition that is far worse than being physically blind. In John 10 Jesus puts the events of John 9 into perspective by stating that He is the good shepherd who is willing to lay down his life for His sheep. Jesus calls himself as the good shepherd who operates with love and compassion to meet the needs of people and contrasts it with the Pharisees whom he identifies as the evil shepherds who have consistently worked to scatter the sheep of God by their rigid religious rules and regulations, preventing people from encountering the love of God. Jesus separates himself from religious teachers as he invites people to enter into a deep personal relationship with Him as the chief shepherd who takes care of their needs and lays down His life for their eternal salvation (Whitacre 1999) In John 10, Jesus portrays a scene from the village where shepherds take care of their sheep to illustrate the relationship He has with His children. The shepherd has a distinct voice and calls each sheep by its name, which the sheep are familiar with. On hearing this call the sheep can easily separate themselves from the rest of the flocks and follow their shepherd. The sheep respond only to the voice of their shepherd who typically walks ahead of the flock, guiding them to green pastures and protecting them from any possible danger. Jesus says that He knows His sheep and His sheep know Him (Jn 10:14). He also contrasts the good shepherd who promises a life of abundance with the thieves and robbers who are out to steal, kill and destroy the sheep (Jn 10:7). He goes on to contrast the good shepherd who will risk his life to protect his sheep with a hired man who would leave the sheep behind and run away when a wolf comes to attack because he does not care about them (Jn 10:12-13). In the Old Testament, leaders like Moses and David were often referred to as shepherds. Ps 77:20 records that “you led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron”. Again, in Ps 78:70-72 and Ez 34: 23 David is referred to as a shepherd who tended the people of Israel with integrity of heart and skillful hands. Ps 23 is one of the well known scriptures in the entire Bible which portrays the image of Jehovah Rohi - the Lord my shepherd. David says that “the Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want (Ps 23:1). As a shepherd in the field is completely responsible for their flock, ensuring that the sheep enjoy good pasture, still waters, adequate care, discipline and protection from every type of danger, David in this passage calls upon the Lord to be his everything. This highlights the all sufficiency that comes as a result of having the Lord as our shepherd. Jesus calls himself the good shepherd and contrasts himself with the Pharisees, whom he identifies with the evil shepherds as mentioned in Ez 34. The evil shepherds have been feeding themselves instead of taking care of their flock. They have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bandaged the injured, brought back the strays or sought the lost but have ruled them with violence and cruelty (Ez 34:4). Therefore the sheep have strayed away and scattered over the whole earth. The deity of God is reveled in Ps 80:1-2 wherein the shepherd of Israel sits enthroned between the cherubim and shines forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. The goodness of God is revealed in Gn 48:15-16 wherein Jacob blesses his grandsons saying “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the Angel who delivered me from all harm – may he bless these boys.” Isaiah 40:11 records that the sovereign Lord tends his flock like a shepherd as reads “He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart and gently leads those that have young.” Sheep that have young ones with them will be slower than the rest of the flock as they linger around the lambs helping them to move around and feed them. This clearly portrays the love and compassion God has for his children as God holds His sheep close to His heart and patiently leads those who are slow. In fact Jeremiah 23 and Ezekiel 34 portray a clear picture of God as the shepherd and how He cares for his people. It highlights that God will condemn the false shepherds and appoint faithful shepherds to tend his flock in the way that is pleasing to Him. In Ezekiel 34, God says that He himself will search for his scattered sheep and look after them. He would search for those who are lost, gather them from the nations and lead them to good pastures. He would care for the injured and strengthen the weak and bring them back to Himself (Ez 34:11-16). These passages from the Old Testament records that God shepherds through His chosen leaders and exemplifies how God himself will shepherd his flock – A prophesy that was fulfilled in the New Testament through Christ Jesus as is recorded in Jn 10:22-30. In order to understand the deity of Christ that is reveled in the statement, “I am the good shepherd”, we first need to understand the characteristics of a sheep. Sheep are not able to sense real danger and cannot defend themselves against predators (Walker n.d.). They lack a sense of direction and can get easily frightened and disturbed (Walker n.d.). They are therefore, totally dependent on the shepherd for their survival. The good shepherd has several characteristics that reveal the deity of Christ: Firstly, the good shepherd is the provider for the sheep who meets all their needs. He directs the sheep towards green pastures and still waters where they can get good nourishment. Jesus’ statement in Mt 6:25-26 reveals that He is Jehovah Jireh - the provider, who even provides for the birds. How much more then will He care for us who are far more valuable to Him than the birds. As human beings we were not created to provide for ourselves. Adam and Eve were perfect people who lived in a perfect place with perfect provision. However, when they decided to provide something extra for themselves instead of relying on God, they lost their perfect relationship with God (Brown 2008). Secondly, the good shepherd protects the sheep. Ps 91:1 records that “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Ps 23 begins by stating that “The Lord is my Shepherd….I will fear no evil.” These versus reveal the deity of Christ in that just like the good shepherd ensures that his sheep are protected and are safe from attacks of wolfs and other wild animals, Christ has promised us, His children, to never leave us or forsake us (Heb 13:5). We are therefore safe because our good shepherd will fight for us. Thirdly, the good shepherd corrects or disciplines the sheep. Ps 94:12-13 states that “Blessed is the man you discipline, O Lord, the man you teach from your law. You grant him relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.” This statement emphasizes the fact that Christ will discipline us because he loves us and so that we can stay away from trouble in the future. Prv 23:13-14 states that “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.” Christ being the good shepherd loves us and does not want our souls to die, therefore, He corrects us when we do wrong. Finally, the good shepherd guides the sheep. Ex 15:13 states that “In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” This verse clearly portrays how Christ guides his people and grants them a life of purpose and a meaning. The Bible teaches us that human life is meant to worship God, serve others, fellowship with each other, to become like Christ and to tell others about Him (Warren 2002). These are the purposes that we Christians have to fulfill in our lives and we can do that only as Christ guides us. Jn 10:27 states that “My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me.” In his writings Apostle John explains that Christ gives us a life full of meaning and purpose as we hear his voice and choose to abide by it. Apostle John therefore elaborates the teachings of Christ so that people might believe the deity of Christ and have eternal life because of their belief (Towns 1983). Bibliography Brown, Karen. “Jehovah Rohi.” Destination God. (2008). http://www.destinationgod.com/ whoisgod/jehovahrohi.html Morris, Leon. Jesus is the Christ: Studies in the Theology of John. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co, 1989. The Holy Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Bible Publishers, 1978. Towns, Elmar L. The Gospel of John. Lynchburg, Virginia: Liberty Baptist Seminary, 1983. Walker, Tom. “How Sheep Ought to Behave in Wolf Country.” The Preachers Corner. (n.d.). http://www.preacherscorner.org/sheep-wolf.htm Warren, Rick. Purpose Driven Life. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002. Whitacre, Rodney. IVP New Testament Commentary Series: John, IVP Academic, 1999. Read More