I am the good shepherd
Good Shepherd is one of the I am
names of Jesus (Yeshua‘) that occurs in John’s
gospel. The Jews were expecting a Messiah who would combine the roles of king
and shepherd just as King David had done. There are many Old Testament
prophecies about the coming shepherd ruler.
Matthew quoted the prophet Micah,
who promised: “a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.”
(Mic. 5:2)
Jesus spoke of His ministry in
shepherding terms and said that Israel were like a scattered, shepherdless
flock (Matt. 9:36; 18:12). Near the end of His life, Jesus applied another
prophecy about the messianic shepherd to Himself (Zech. 13:7).
I
am the Good Shepherd in Greek:
Egō eimi ho poimēn ho kalos
Strong’s Concordance numbers:
4166, 2570
Bible references: John 10:11,
14
I am the good shepherd. The
good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11, NIV)
There are three similar names
for Christ Jesus the Good Shepherd: the Great Shepherd of the sheep, Shepherd
and guardian of our souls, and the Chief Shepherd. The Old Testament contains
names for God like the Shepherd of Israel and, of course, the Lord is my
shepherd.
The picture of God as a
shepherd draws together many of the different ways in which God relates to His
people. Jesus reflected several of the same attributes of God in His life and
ministry. He was right when He said I am the Good Shepherd.
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