Sheep and Shepherd: Psalm 23 and John 10

Throughout the bible, the concept of sheep and shepherds is often used to describe the relationship between God and His people.   Consider the contrasts and similarities between Psalm 23 in which David likens himself to a sheep with a good shepherd, and John 10 in which Jesus declared Himself to be the Good Shepherd.   My narrative is in italic.

David says, “The Lord is my shepherd;”

Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd.”

David says, “I shall not want.”
Jesus says, “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Sheep are fairly helpless creatures that need caring for, and the greatest need of any sheep is simple survival.   The best shepherd would protect his sheep with his own life; Jesus took this concept to the ultimate degree when he lay down His life for the sheep.   Not only did He lay down His life for the sheep, but the cost of His life mean that the sheep did not have to die.  Ever.   This met the ultimate need.   David did not want.   We shall never want, in light of Jesus laying down His life.

David says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.”

Jesus says, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”

Jesus takes the concept of pasturing sheep a step further by creating a contemporary word-picture of a sheep abiding in its shepherd; going in and out of the sheep fold, amongst good pastures and watering spots; places of safety and contentedness.

David says, “He restores my soul.  He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.”

Jesus says, “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.”

The only way to righteousness is through Jesus.   Jesus came to restore our souls eternally.   When our souls are restored, God is glorified.

David says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;”

Jesus says, “All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.”

The valley of the shadow of death is a metaphor for our tenuous lives without Jesus, just like the sheep walking through the desert valleys looking for water, under the weight of fear of attack by lions, wolves and other predators, and being defenceless.   But the sheep have a natural fear for predators and won’t be lured into their lairs.  

David says, “your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me...”

The sheep like the rod and staff that are carried and wielded by the shepherd.  These items bring comfort.   The rod is a sapling shaped from the root of a tree - the top fits the shepherd's hand grip, and the base (the root) is shaped into a club.  The shepherd can throw the rod with great accuracy.  It can be a defensive weapon against predators, and it can be used for discipline of the sheep, or to stop a sheep going into danger.   The staff, on the other hand, is a long stick with a crook on the end.  The shepherd uses the staff to care for the sheep:  lifting and guiding, drawing the sheep near to the shepherd, or for guiding the sheep in a safe path.  

The sheep recognise their own shepherd, and the love between shepherd and sheep is mutual.   We recognise Jesus’ own presence as our good shepherd and He gives us comfort.   Just as the sheep recognise the shepherd’s voice, we recognise Jesus’ voice as the Good Shepherd.

David says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil;”
Jesus says, “and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

When Jesus was crucified, He prepared the way for our salvation; He paid propitiation for our sins; He prepared a feast that is to be celebrated in the future; yet His enemies (and ours) have been looking on at these proceedings but are powerless to stop Jesus’ own victory.

David says, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Jesus contrasts himself as the Good Shepherd against the enemy of the sheep.   The enemy steals and kills and destroys, but Jesus loves and protects and saves.   His blood has purchased the sheep and given eternal life.   Abundant life is the best available!

John (the baptiser), John (the disciple) and Peter refer to Jesus as the Lamb of God, but that's another blogspot... 


Photo credit:  Oh Sheep! https://www.digitalproduction.com/2014/02/27/oh-sheep/ (5/8/18)