2000-02-20 - Jesus as Shepherd

Passages about Jesus Series, Part 1

For the next couple weeks, we will look at passages about some of Jesus' titles. Today we will examine passages about Jesus as our Shepherd. Looking at The New Bible Dictionary's job description of a shepherd, one sees that Christ would be the perfect candidate for the position: "The shepherd on duty was liable to make restitution for any sheep lost (Gn. 31:39), unless he could effectively plead circumstances beyond his foresight or control (Ex. 22:10-13). Ideally the shepherd should be strong, devoted and selfless...."

(Mat 2:3-6 NRSV) When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.

(John 10:11-15 NRSV) "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away--and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep."

(Heb 13:20-21 NRSV) Now may the God of peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

(Zec 13:7 NRSV) "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is my associate," says the LORD of hosts. Strike the shepherd, that the sheep may be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones.

(Mat 25:32-33 NRSV) All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left.

(Isa 40:10-11 NRSV) See, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.

(1 Pet 5:4 NRSV) And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away.

: )  Jan

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