The Good Shepherd
A shepherd was a despised and dishonorable occupation. They were considered the lowest of the low, and a job left for the uneducated. It is amazing to me that the King of the Universe would call himself "The Good Shepherd", and that he came not to be served, but to serve.
Matthew 20:28 ...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
The Palestinian shepherd had individual names for each and every one of his sheep. He would go ahead of the sheep in search of the conditions ahead and would summon them by name to follow Him. They know his voice and trusted him.
John 10:14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me."
The shepherd would guard and defend the sheep against the predators of the desert; wolves, etc. He would make sure his sheep were all safely in at night before laying down himself, and he would lay in the doorway so none would stray, and that nothing could come in after them.
John 10:14 "I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
Each shepherd carried a walking stick or a "rod" that he would use to discipline his flock, and to gather them when they would stray. They would also carry with them a flute. They would play their flute to content and to call their sheep. Each shepherd's flute had it's own specific note. When coming into a town, each shepherd would put all their sheep together to graze and to rest. When it came time for one shepherd to leave with his flock, he would blow his flute and the sheep would recognize their shepherd's note and follow him. I think of how we are made to recognize our Shepherd's voice and then we are to follow.
If a shepherd would have trouble with a sheep that wouldn't follow in obedience it was customary for him to brake the legs of the sheep and then carry the sheep on his shoulders around his neck. The time it took for the sheep's legs to heal was then spent bonding and building a re pore of trust and obedience between the shepherd and his sheep.
Proverbs 3:12 ...because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
The first time the Lord came to Earth he came as a humble servant, a "shepherd", to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
The next time the Lord comes to Earth he comes as a king, "The King of Kings."
Revelation 19:15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron.
Philippians 2:10 ...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord...
For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Peter 5:4
