ADVENT SEASON
(THE ANTICIPATION OF CHRIST’S BIRTH IN THE SEASON LEADING UP TO CHRISTMAS)
28 NAMES OF JESUS
DECEMBER 5, 2020
Name #6: “The Good Shepherd”
I continually find my children to be fascinating case studies. For example, one day my wife and I found that our children had been “counting” the money in their piggy banks, and in doing so, they had destroyed some of the money. To me, that’s a big deal. Money that could have been put to good use is now worthless. However, to them, it was as if they just tore some paper. On the flip side, when we were unpacking from our move, we found a stash of artwork that we had packed up and forgotten about for a few years, and just the suggestion that we may need to get rid of some pieces of art brought them to tears.
My view of the situation was completely different from that of my children. After giving some thought to why we held completely different views, I finally arrived at the conclusion that it came down to an issue of value. The money was a gift; the artwork was personal. The artwork belonged to them and they worked hard to make it, so it had more value to them than the money.
In John 10, Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd, and in John 10:11 – 13, Jesus lays out the difference between a shepherd and a hired hand: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.”
The difference between a shepherd and a hired hand is that the sheep have value to the shepherd. When true danger comes, the hired hand is going to run because he’s just doing a job. Hired hands talk a good game and interview well, making promises to protect and provide. But their promises don’t carry any weight because, in the end, a hired hand doesn’t care for the sheep. They have no value to him. You care differently for the things that have value. The shepherd cares for the sheep because they belong to him.
Since we have value to the Good Shepherd, He takes time to know His sheep (John 10:14). He knows our nature and needs1. Warren Wiersbe says this: “Have you ever noticed how different the 12 Apostles were from one another? Peter was impulsive and outspoken, while Thomas was hesitant and doubting. Andrew was a ‘people person’ who was always bringing somebody to Jesus, while Judas wanted to ‘use’ people in order to get their money for himself. Jesus knew each of the men personally, and He knew exactly how to deal with them.” “Because He knows our natures, He also knows our needs.”2
The Good Shepherd not only knows the nature and needs of His sheep, He values them so much that He is willing to lay down His life for His sheep. “[J]ust as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:15). Jesus voluntarily gave up His life so that we could have an abundant life lived in relationship with God (John 10:10).
When times get tough and you begin to question what’s going on around you, remember you have value to Christ, and He is our Good Shepherd. He also knows and cares for each of us. He knows your worries, your desires, and your fears, and He knows exactly what you need and how to best meet your needs (Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34:11 – 16). He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).
Adam Deering
- Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible Exposition Commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 330 – 331). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
- Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible Exposition Commentary (Vol. 1, p. 331). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.