A few shepherds and the good shepherd

Saturday 22 May 2021

A few shepherds and the good shepherd

He thus became the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel. Genesis 49:24

During His life on earth, the Lord Jesus introduced Himself as the Good Shepherd. This title is only fully appropriate on its own. He is perfectly good and perfectly competent.

The Old Testament presents some shepherds who announce Jesus, the shepherd par excellence, and who reveal to us in advance some of his characters.

The first shepherd is Abel, the second son of Adam and Eve. Abel is an image of the Lord Jesus, hated by his brothers and put to death. But, while the blood of Abel cries out for vengeance, that of the good shepherd who leaves his life for the sheep (John 10:11), speaks of much better things : of forgiveness and of salvation (Hebrews 12:24).

Among the patriarchs, Jacob is a very attentive shepherd. Let us hear him speak of his compassion for his flock : I am in charge of small and large cattle which suckle ; and if they are pressed for a single day, they will die - the whole herd... I will walk slowly in the footsteps of these cattle (Genesis 33: 13,14). Our Good Shepherd walks with us, knows our special needs, and cares for each of us (John 10:14).

Moses begins his forty years of pastoral life by watering his father-in-law's cattle abundantly (Exodus 2: 17,19). The Good Shepherd came that his sheep might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). With him, life is not sad or limited !

David is anointed as king as he tends his father's flocks. His work as a shepherd is often paralleled with his role as the Shepherd of Israel (Psalm 78: 70-72). He is distinguished by his courage in defending his animals in the face of a lion and a bear (1 Samuel 17: 34-37). Even better than David, our Good Shepherd gives us perfect security from all our spiritual enemies (John 10: 12,28).

A shepherd who gave his life for us, a shepherd who is attentive to all our needs, a shepherd who communicates an abundant life to us, a shepherd who defends us in all circumstances : yes, our Lord is THE good shepherd !

Source (Pleasing the Lord)