‘I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—‘ (John 10:14 NIV)
In our current times, we may wonder why Jesus is described as the Good Shepherd. Although Jesus never herded sheep, He was well-acquainted with that profession, as were all during those times in history. Curiously, when Jesus addresses the Pharisees with this parable, they don’t understand His comparisons.
Jesus compares Himself to a Good Shepherd who loves the sheep and protects them. On the other hand, He compares the Pharisees to hired men who don’t care about the sheep. They run away in the midst of danger and let the wolves attack the flock.
‘Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.’ Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them“ (John 10:1-6 NIV).
Despite the Pharisees’ lack of understanding, Jesus extends His story into the spiritual realm by explaining that He is the gate through which people enter to find salvation. The enemy, the devil, comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus comes to give abundant life.
Therefore Jesus said again, ‘Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full‘ (John 10:7-10 NIV).
Recent news during the past year reports that multiple ministry leaders are falling from their man-made “thrones.” Revelations of sexual abuse, lying, deception, and misuse of donated tithes and offerings accumulate by the week. Exposure of the truth is heartbreaking for the flock of Christians trusting and supporting these ministries.
What can we do? Whom can we trust?
We must place our trust in the Good Shepherd alone.
Like sheep, we have all gone astray. Fortunately, Jesus calls us by name and safely returns us to the flock. He is the One through whom we receive salvation and eternal life. We know His voice, and because we do, we will not follow a stranger’s voice.
Let us heed the same wisdom that Jesus gave to His disciples. ‘Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves‘ (Matthew 10:16 NKJV).
Let’s not fear these days, but let’s find comfort in Psalm 23 (NKJV):
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
Dear Lord, thank you for watching over us and protecting us from false shepherds and lurking wolves. Give us Your wisdom to discern truth from lies. May we always follow Your voice, especially in these days of great deception. We trust You alone, our Good Shepherd. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd by Karen Jurgens, copyright ©2025 All rights reserved.
