What’s in a Name?
By Jerry Batson, Th.D.
Special to The Alabama Baptist
Last week we were thinking of Jesus as a servant, a noun He did not use of Himself, instead using the verb “serving” to speak of His incarnate ministry. This week we think of Jesus as a shepherd, a noun He did use to refer to Himself. Others also used it of Him, such as Peter in his first epistle: “For ‘you were like sheep going astray,’ but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Pet. 2:25).
Perhaps the best-known passage in which Jesus termed Himself “Shepherd” is in John 10. Twice in that passage Jesus declared, “I am the Good Shepherd” (vv. 11, 14). In His elaboration upon this dual self-designation, Jesus spoke of “giving His life” for the sheep and then of “laying down His life” for the sheep. In this full Good Shepherd passage, He also spoke of knowing, protecting, leading, feeding and preserving His sheep, actions that define how good the Good Shepherd is.
Chief Shepherd
Other Jesus-followers picked up on this title and enlarged its meaning. Such was the case with the writer of Hebrews in the closing benediction of his letter: “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever” (13:20–21).
The Good Shepherd also is the Great Shepherd. Not only in Hebrews but also in 1 Peter the shepherd imagery is used of Jesus: “When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (5:4). The Good Shepherd is not only the Great Shepherd but also the Chief Shepherd. Furthermore, Jesus also is now the Heavenly Shepherd who leads His own to living fountains of waters, according to Revelation 7:17: “The Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Under-shepherds
After the pattern of the ultimate Good and Great Shepherd, those who serve Him as under-shepherds are to tend the flock of God. When at their best and most Christlike, human under-shepherds care for God’s flock while setting for the sheep a good example while both under-shepherds and sheep await the return of the Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:2–4).
Psalm 23 captures shepherd imagery at its best. Lovers and readers of Psalm 23 have often understood that Jesus came to be the shepherd of God’s people, living out the actions of the Psalm: providing for the sheep so that they have no lack, leading the sheep in right paths, refreshing the sheep with pasture and water, being with the sheep and comforting them even when passing through the shadow of death, all the while making it possible for their lives to overflow with blessings, much like a cup filled and spilling over.
Overseeing our lives
Whatever our lot and wherever we go, our Good Shepherd is overseeing our lives and desiring to minister to us through His comforting presence and His spiritual nourishment and refreshing. We have the privilege of starting every day with the simple but powerful confession, “The Lord is my Shepherd.”
Editor’s note — Jerry Batson is a retired Alabama Baptist pastor who also has served as associate dean of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University and professor of several schools of religion during his career.
Share with others: