Jesus, the good shepherd

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham Dear Dr. Graham: I attended a funeral recently and heard Psalm 23 recited. It had been years. I remember learning about David while in Vacation Bible School 20 years ago and that he was a shepherd, but why did David write that God was his shepherd? – S.B. Dear S.B.: David makes the relationship a personal one in the best known of all psalms. “The Lord is my shepherd,” he cries exultantly, “I shall lack nothing.” The rest of the psalm tells us what we shall not lack. It speaks of the shepherd’s provision as He leads us to the green pastures, His guidance along the paths of righteousness (the right paths). No wonder David testifies, “My cup overflows.” These are God’s boundless blessings. Isaiah adds a further touch to the picture when he says, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart” (Isaiah 40:11, NIV). The figure here indicates the tender care with which the Lord supports His people on their journey and the strong love with which He enfolds them. In the New Testament, Jesus uses this same figure and applies it to Himself. He says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it” (John 10:11-12, NIV). But Jesus does not abandon His sheep; He knows His sheep and His sheep know Him (see John 10:14). Note four things about Jesus the Good Shepherd. He owns the sheep: they belong to Him. He guards the sheep: He never abandons them when danger is near. He knows the sheep: knows them each by name and leads them. And He lays down His life for the sheep: such is the measure of His love.