The Good Shepherd

Herding behavior Sheep are best known for their strong herding and following instinct. They will run from what frightens them and band together in large groups for protection. This is the only protection they have from predators.

They don’t have sharp teeth or claws.

They aren’t fast or crafty.

All they got is strength in numbers.

Follow the leader When one sheep moves, the rest will follow, even if it does not seem to be a good idea. The flocking and following instinct of sheep is so strong that it caused the death of 400 sheep in 2006 in eastern Turkey. The sheep plunged to their death after one of the sheep tried to cross a 15-meter deep ravine, and the rest of the flock followed.

Unless they are led, sheep with stay in one field until there is no food left. And they will starve.

Social Sheep are a very social animal. In a grazing situation, they need to see other sheep. In fact, ensuring that sheep always have visual contact with other sheep will prevent excess stress when moving, handling, or housing them. According to animal behaviorists, a group of five sheep is usually necessary for sheep to display their normal flocking behavior. A sheep will become highly agitated if it is separated from the rest of the flock.

You can use mirror to “trick” them into thinking there are other sheep around.

Hearing Sheep have excellent hearing. They can amplify and pinpoint sound with their ears. In fact, sound arrives at each ear at a different time. Sheep are frightened by sudden loud noises, such as yelling or barking. In response to loud noises and other unnatural sounds, sheep become nervous and more difficult to handle. This is due to the release of stress-related hormones. To minimize stress, the handler should speak in a quiet, calm voice.

Their ears are sharp and can distinguish the specific nature of sounds.

What they hear and how they hear it has a lot to do with their behavior.

The Job of a Shepherd

Shepherds serve as protectors, providers, doctors, leaders, rescuers, and groomers for the sheep.

Without the shepherd the sheep would be lost and ultimately perish.

One it heals it would not leave the shepherd’s side.

It is easy to see why Jesus would use this relationship as an analogy of our relationship with Himself.

It is common to dwell on us a sheep and make us all feel like dumb, lost animals.

To carry the analogy too far.

I don’t think that is what Jesus is seeking to portray.

Jesus wants us to understand the significance of Him as our GOOD SHEPHERD.

He intentionally uses the word καλός (kalos) to describe his shepherding.

Means — meeting high standards or expectations of appearance, kind, or quality

to meeting high standards or expectations of appearance, kind, or quality

Used to describe the wine that Jesus makes from water in

Arndt, W., Danker, F. W., Bauer, W., & Gingrich, F. W. (2000). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed., p. 504). Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Used to describe the “GOOD” soil in

Used to describe the “GOOD” fruit a healthy tree bears in

He isn’t concerned with us seeing ourselves as SHEEP.

Yes we are like sheep, but more importantly He IS the GOOD SHEPHERD.

Jesus is MY Good Shepherd

I want these statements to be personal to you.

Jesus us YOUR Good Shepherd, and MY Good Shepherd.

It is not some abstract or impersonal idea, but a real, objective, life-altering reality.

If you get this, if you understand this, if you let your life be defined by this truth, oh the joy that will flow from your relationship with YOUR GOOD SHEPHERD.

He KNOWS ME and I KNOW Him. (, )

John 10:3 ESV

3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

1) He knows your name.

Have you ever been somewhere where you didn’t know anyone and kind of felt out of place.

And then someone in yells your name.

It is such a relief to know someone and to be known by someone right?!?

“A person’s name is to him or her the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” – Dale Carnegie.

In the ancient world, your name defined who you were.

Think about Abram and Sarai

God changed Abram's "high father" name to “Abraham,” "father of a multitude" () and his wife's name from “Sarai,” “my princess,” to “Sarah,” “mother of nations” ().

Think about Peter

Jesus changed Simon’s name, meaning "God has heard," to “Peter,” meaning "rock" when He first called him as a disciple ().

He was declaring over Simon that he has a new identity. We find out more clearly the significance of that identity in .

Jesus knows the names of EACH of His sheep

He knows them personally

He knows them deeply

John 10:4 ESV

4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

John 10:14 ESV

14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

He knows them deeply

2) He knows who you REALLY are.

He knows your past, he knows your future

He knows your secrets and he knows your struggles.

He knows your hurts and he knows your longings.

HE KNOWS YOU and therefore He gets to tell you who YOU ARE.

John 10:4 ESV

4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

jn 10 4

3) His voice is ALL THAT MATTERS.

In a world full of voices

telling us what is right and wrong for us.

Attempting to define who we are.

Ephesians 4:13–14 ESV

13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

Ephesians 5:13–14 ESV

13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Seeking to influencing our decision and shape our lives.

Our shepherd’s voice should be heard above them all.

Ephesians 4:14 ESV

14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

Ephesians 4:14 ESV

14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

ii. —No longer children tossed by every wind of doctrine, human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful scheme.

No longer children tossed by every wind of doctrine, human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful scheme.

We need to listen for the voice of Jesus, guiding us into all truth

He PROVIDES for and PROTECTS ME. (, )

John 10:10 ESV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

There is an unavoidable connection in theses words to Psalm 23.

Psalm 23:1–6 NLT

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

psalm 23

In the midst of worry and trails- He provides all we need.

In the turmoil of life- He is our calm and peace.

In the weakness and brokenness of our flesh- He is the source of our strength.

In the confusion and temptations of life- He is my guide to what is right and true.

We don’t need a shepherd to provide for us or protect us.

In the dark struggles of life- He is our light and comfort.

When the world seems to be against me- He protects me and leads me through.

The relationship we share with Jesus brings:

Satisfaction

i. Satisfaction

ii. Piece

Peace

Comfort

iii. Comfort even in the midst of trials because we are being fed

iv. Restoration of our souls

Restoration

v. Leadership down the path of righteousness

Leadership

Freedom

vi. Freedom from fear

vii. Protection from enemies

Protection

He is a Good shepherd and we are wayward, rebellious sheep destined for destruction until we submit to HIM.

He PROVIDES for and PROTECTS ME. (, )

He LAYS DOWN His LIFE for ME. (, , )

A shepherd is willing to go to great lengths to protect his sheep, even to death

It is impossible for us to grasp the power of this statement without grasping the depths of our depravity and gloriousness of Jesus’ death on the cross

b. It is impossible for us to grasp the power of this statement without grasping the depths of our depravity and the gloriousness of Jesus’ death on the cross

Romans 3:10–12 ESV

10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

10-

As the “Good Shepherd” Jesus not only provides for us and protects us, He lays down His life for us.

A voluntary sacrifice (v. 18 NIV). No one took Jesus’ life; He willingly and voluntarily gave it up for us.

A vicarious sacrifice (v. 15). Jesus did not die as a martyr, killed by men; He died as a substitute, willingly laying his life down for us.

A victorious sacrifice (v. 17). Jesus did die, but He also rose again. The cross is empty. Jesus rose again. We serve a risen, victorious Savior.

He LAYS DOWN His LIFE for ME. (, , )

Jesus sacrificed His life in order that we might be saved. He willingly gave His life for our lives. He became the sacrificial shepherd for us.

Is He YOUR Good Shepherd?

Who’s voice is guiding your life?

What do you look to for protection and provision?

There is another passage about sheep in

Luke 15:3–7 ESV

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

We sing a song here that powerfully points to the crazy, unfathomable, reckless love God shows us in Christ.

The chorus goes life this:

And oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine And I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine And I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

The invitation is for those wayward sheep to come and find rest in the Good Shepherd.

And I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away

If your stirring in your seat right now, or your heart is uneasy, don’t drown out that voice with excuses, listen to the one who is calling you.