The shepherd is a favourite Scriptural picture of the divine love and care. In the Old Testament, the twenty-third Psalm gathers the whole wonderful truth in exquisite lines which are dear to young and old wherever the Bible is known. Then in the New Testament, when our Lord would give His friends the sweetest revealings of His heart toward them, and tell them what they are to Him and what He would be to them, He says, “I am the Good Shepherd.”
The eastern shepherd lives with his sheep. If they are out in the storm, he is with them. If they are exposed to danger, so is he. Christ lives with His people. He enters into closest relations with them. In all their afflictions He is afflicted. The storm that smites them smites Him.
The shepherd knows his sheep. He has a name for each one and calls them all by their names. Christ knows each one of His friends, has intimate personal knowledge of each one. He knows the best in us and also the worst, our faults, our sins, our wanderings. Yet, knowing us as we are, He loves us still and never wearies of us.
The shepherd is most gentle with his sheep. He does not drive them, but goes before them and leads them. When they need rest on the way he makes them lie down, and chooses for their resting-place not the dusty road, but green pastures. He is especially kind to the lambs, gathers them in his arms and carries them in his bosom. All this is an exquisite picture of the gentleness of our Good Shepherd in His care of His sheep. He is thoughtful toward the weak. He loves the children and makes room for them on His bosom. What ever the need is, there is something in the heart of Christ which meets its craving and supplies its lack.
The shepherd defends his flock in all danger. Often he had to risk his own safety, even his life, in protecting his sheep. The Good Shepherd giveth His life for His sheep.
“In His feet and hands are wound-prints, And His side.”
Christ’s sheep are absolutely safe in His keeping. “I give unto them eternal life,” He said; “and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.” Then at last He will bring His own all safely home, “and they shall become one flock, one shepherd.”