Scripture uses various metaphors to describe God’s people—a temple, a body, a bride, a garden, a vineyard, or a flock of sheep. Shepherding, in fact, was an important occupation in ancient Palestine, practiced by such biblical notables as Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David. The role of the shepherd was to provide three things for the flock in his care: food, protection, and guidance.
Just as God’s people are sometimes described in Scripture as a faithless bride, they are also sometimes pictured as a scattered flock. At such times, their leaders are portrayed as false shepherds who care little for the well-being of the flock entrusted to them. Without a shepherd to watch over them, the sheep scatter, becoming easy prey for wild animals and thieves.
Out of love for his wayward people, God promises to become their Shepherd. The book of Isaiah paints one of the most poignant images of God in the Hebrew Scriptures:
Like a shepherd he takes care of his flock.
He gathers the lambs in his arms.
He carries them in his arms.
He gently helps the sheep and their lambs. (Isaiah 40:11)
Jesus shows us the lengths to which he as the Good Shepherd, or Poimen Kalos, will go in order to protect his sheep. Unlike those who merely work for pay, Jesus will never abandon his sheep. Instead, he will defend them with his own life. After his resurrection, Jesus exhorted Peter to follow his example by feeding his sheep. Leaders of the early church were referred to as “pastor,” another translation of the Greek word poimen.
Praying to the Good Shepherd
I met Judith Fain when she was a doctoral candidate at the University of Durham. As was her habit at the time, she was spending several months of the year in Israel. One day, while walking on a
road near Bethlehem, Judith spotted three shepherds approaching each other with their separate flocks of sheep. When the three men stopped to converse, their flocks began to intermingle. Judith couldn’t imagine how the shepherds were ever going to sort out which sheep belonged to them
since by now they had melted into one large flock. Several minutes later, as the men said their goodbyes, she learned the trick. Magically, as the shepherds called out to their sheep, the one large flock sorted itself into three separate flocks, with each sheep following the voice of its shepherd.
Her experience illustrates why the land of Israel has often been called the fifth gospel. Two thousand years after the death of Christ it still testifies to his words and teachings. Hadn’t Jesus assured those who had flocked to him: I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep
know me? Hadn’t he promised to go after the one sheep that strayed? Hadn’t he identified himself as the shepherd who would give his life so that his sheep might be safe?
One after another, the promises of our Good Shepherd are intended to communicate who we are and who he is. We are weak, vulnerable, and beloved, and he is our strong, protecting Shepherd.
Thank God for a shepherd to lead us and help us lie down in peace, assured as we are of his ability to care for us and to guide us safely home.
