#31 The Good Shepherd
Please first read: John 10:1-14; Matthew 9:36, 18:12, 26:31;
Mark 14:27; Luke 12:32; John 21:15-19
When
Jesus began his ministry it appears that he first referred to himself by the
name of “Good Shepherd” and used that name for himself more than any other
title while here on earth. For his audiences the name conjures up thoughts
of love, protection, care, guidance, and sacrifice. Almost everything in a
true shepherd’s life and work in a 24-hour day mirrors the words and teachings
of our Savior. His life and activities were illustrative of the teachings
of Jesus. Often “good shepherd” is one of the first names we say to our
infants and children when we teach and read Bible stories to them about Jesus.
To fully
comprehend all that this title really means, and meant in the time when Jesus
grew up (infant, child, and youth) we must know and understand somewhat how
important shepherds and sheep were at that time; how they impacted the
individual lives, families, and economy of the whole Jewish nation. This
included the Jews, Samaritans, Gentiles, and their Roman captors.
Seeing
the “good shepherd” through the eyes of the people at that time helps us
understand their feelings for, and the value of, shepherds and sheep, and
the major role of these in their religion. When Jesus used that name for
himself he brought into their minds a mental picture that was historically embedded in the thoughts and language of the people. Throughout the Old
Testament God is pictured as the Shepherd of the people. Psalms, “the Lord
is my Shepherd.” The lives of Moses and Aaron. Isaiah shows God as the
loving and gentle shepherd. Ezekiel names the Messiah as King and
Shepherd. The new King David came “directly from the sheepfold with the
shepherds crook still in his hand to the appointing that made him royal.”
(Talmage) King David is to feed the people and be their
shepherd. Ezekiel chastises the “shepherds” who instead of tending the
flock have been feeding themselves from the flock. “Woe be unto the
pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture saith the Lord.” (Jeremiah
23:1) Their Bible was a main source for teaching children to read, and what
also they heard every Sabbath so they knew these stories well.
Isaiah 40:11
shows a picture of God as the gentle and loving shepherd: “He will feed
his flock like a shepherd, He will gather the lambs in his arms, He will carry
them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” Jesus shows
himself as the true, faithful shepherd in his activity’s teachings, and all
that he does, including accusations against the existing religious
leaders. He tells them they should be concerned with working for the souls
of men rather than for their own interests and the numerous unnecessary laws
and rituals they have hung on their people.
As Jesus
begins his ministry he uses the theme of the good shepherd constantly,
chastising harshly the Jewish leaders who are feeding themselves from the sheep
trough. He then teaches in the Gospel that he is “THE” Good Shepherd” come
to save. Many of those who listened were receptive to his messages, they
knew this was going on in their world.
Let’s
look at the typical life of a true shepherd at the time the Lord was on the
earth, one that would have the Lord’s approval.
- His equipment was simple, an animal skin bag (scrip) to carry his food: bread, dried fruit, olives, cheese. A sling … he would be skilled and an accurate shot. With this he would get rabbits for food and ward off predators and thieves, guide and direct his sheep. He did not have a dog.
- A long-crooked staff. If a sheep began to stray he would reach out with the crook and pull it back with the others.
- A rod. A stout piece of wood, three feet long or so with an orange size ball of wood on one end. This was his weapon, using it to drive off hungry wild animals and a robber wanting to steal a sheep.
- Clothing. A sheepskin worn with the fleece inside for warmth.
He would
be viewed with contempt by the strictly orthodox Jew. It was impossible to
observe the many rules of ceremonial cleansing or even those of
hand-washing. Stated hours for prayers had to be compromised at times.
The life
of eastern sheep (Holy Land) is much different from those of the west. (East
and West-
see note one
at end of article) In the west the sheep are raised mostly for
food. In the east they are kept for eight or nine years and in a sense are
part of the family. They supply milk and wool and more sheep. Each
sheep is given a name and like a pet dog would recognize their name when
called. The sheep are not driven but are led by the shepherd, and they
follow him; he talks to them and they know his voice. A strange voice they
will not follow and such a voice can alarm and scatter the flock. The
shepherd calls out to the flock from time to time to assure them of his
presence; they can spook easily. Sometimes in the east a shepherd will
play and romp with his flock. There are even stories of sheep dancing in
time to a tune being played on the shepherd’s flute.
Usually
the flocks were not large in number and were mixed with goats. Shepherds were
usually alone moving their flock to different places for food as
needed. He must be on watch day and night. The terrain had many
dangerous cliffs, crags, and gullies that could injure the sheep … they could
get into places from which they could not get out. The shepherd was
everything to the sheep. He fed, watered, nursed, protected, found if
lost, rescued and anticipated their every need. Sheep can get excited and
scare easily so he needs to be patient and caring in tending them. In
narrow passages where there might be wild beasts or potential robbers the
shepherd often went first to make sure it was safe for the sheep to
follow. He would carry tiny lambs when they were too tired to travel. (Isaiah 40:11) The shepherd must know the strength of his flock and demand no more
from them than they could give. In the winter his days were spent cutting
branches with green leaves and small twigs to feed them.
At night
he would look for a natural enclosure in the rocks or a cave in which to spend
the night. He would bed down across the opening so they could not wander
out and no animal could get in. Thieves were always a potential problem
and the true shepherd placed his life on the line to protect his flock. Jesus
said, “I am the door to the sheep fold.” (John 10:9) Occasionally two or three
shepherds would join flocks together for the night, allowing each to get more
sleep during the night. It is easy to imagine that a solitary life such as
this, alone in the open country, under the elements and the night time stars,
one would feel the closeness of God.
In the
society of Palestine being a shepherd was an honored and respected
vocation. Often the shepherd owned the flock or had a financial interest
in it and what it produced and thus would be very attentive to things needed to
care for the flock. There would be a bond of love between man and
sheep. In his teachings Jesus made references to the hired hand who would
desert in the time of trouble.
Given all
that is involved in being a good shepherd, what comparison or stories could be
more fitting for Jesus to use of himself than “I am the Good Shepherd, I know
my sheep and they know me. And they are mine.” His listeners would
understand his stories about sheep and shepherds, and his references to himself
as the true shepherd. The majority of the people he spent time with had a
good understanding of shepherds and sheep and their importance to their society
and economy.
Jesus
comes to the people through the open door to the sheepfold and wants free
access to his sheep. He loves his flock and knows them by name. They
know his voice. He does not herd his sheep as a hireling or drive them,
but leads them. He is ready to give his life for them. Jesus warns
them against false pastors, teachers, deceivers, those who climb over the wall
of the sheepfold. He warns them of prophets of Satan who “appear in
sheep’s clothing while inwardly they are ravening wolves.” In addition to the
Jews being enslaved by the Romans, within their own race there are many
leaders behaving like herders. The people know this and Jesus now
makes it an issue in his teaching.
If we
think of Jesus as the “Good Shepherd” using today’s limited picture of sheep
and shepherds (or sheepherders) we miss much of what the people of his day
were learning and picturing in their minds. We learn much, much more of
his teachings by using their eyes.
A final
interesting point:
In
indicating his loving care for his people God told the prophet Ezekiel “I will
make you pass under the rod.” (Ezekiel 20:37, a book the people were
familiar with.)
It was
the practice of a shepherd to place his staff close to the ground and have his
sheep pass under it as they entered the sheep fold. This allowed him to make a
quick inspection of each animal; he would then attend to those who needed help.
Note 1: Not
our definition of East/West. This refers to the forced dispersions of the
Jews during the Babylonian captivity. They were forced to leave Palestine and
locate in other countries. Over time those in Babylonia and those
returning to Palestine became strong communities and with the Parthians, Medes,
Mesopotamians, and Judea comprised the Eastern Dispersion. They kept
strongly to the Judaism of the past. The Jews disbursed into other
countries embraced the Grecian culture (Hellenistic, worldlier) and comprised
the Western Dispersion.
Glenn R.
McGettigan
December
2014
References:
“Our Lord
of the Gospels.” J.R. Clark
“Jesus
the Christ.” Talmage
“The
Mission of Jesus the Messiah.” Howick
“The
Mortal Messiah.” Volume 2. McConkie
“Study of
the New Testament, the Four Gospels.” Ludlow
“Jesus As
They Saw Him.” William Barclay
