It is a beautiful privilege to know the Lord not simply as God but also as our God.  It’s an even more beautiful privilege to know this Lord as our good shepherd. 

He doesn’t stand at a distance, hiding away, leaving his people guessing as to whether he even exists, let alone cares. He comes close, makes himself known, and invites us to enjoy a personal relationship with him. He is our God.

As our God, he grants us the full benefit of his shepherd-like care. In his pasture, he gives us a space to flourish. He provides sustenance from the field, protection from the wolves, and fellowship with the flock. He tends to our every need.

What would life be like without a shepherd like this? How fearful would we be?  How anxious?  How hopeless?

Thankfully, Jesus renders questions like this moot.  He said, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11,14), and as the good shepherd, he knows his sheep (John 10:14a) and trains them to know him (John 10:14b). They know the safety of his pasture. But as their shepherd, Jesus also lays down his life for them (John 10:11,15). He doesn’t do this out of obligation but out of his own loving will (John 10:18).

In Jesus, the words of Psalm 95 find their flesh.  And in his flesh, they find their fulfilment as he willingly gives himself over to death in our place on the cross.  Under him, worthlessness turns to pricelessness, fears turn to freedom, and hopelessness turns to eternal bliss. 

May we be ever thankful for our very good shepherd.