The Good Shepherd

"I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."  John 10:11 (NIV)

As Jesus continues His discourse about the sheep and the shepherd, the Apostle John records these words.  This is the fourth of the seven great "I AM" statements spoken by Jesus, The Christ, as He addressed the crowd.  He said "I AM the good shepherd".  Because He cares for His sheep, "the good shepherd" will die to save the sheep.  This is a reference to His death on the cross at Calvary.

Jesus could have been referring to Himself as "good" in comparison to the "bad" and "evil" leadership of His chosen people, who were seeking personal gain.  However, in keeping with the parable of the shepherd and the sheep, a good shepherd leads, guides, directs, protects, provides for, cares for, fights for, and will die for his sheep.  Jesus, "The Good Shepherd", did all of that and He was willing to, and did, lay down His life in order to save us, His sheep.  He later repeats the statement, "I AM the good shepherd" (John 10:14), and adds that He knows His sheep and they know Him.  He knows His sheep by name (John 10:3), and they know the sound of His voice (John 10:4-5).  This phrase can also mean that Jesus is THE Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd, the Chief Shepherd, the Supreme Shepherd.  He is The Head of the Church, and The Head of all principalities, the ultimate leader, The King of kings and The Lord of lords.  Believers can say, The Lord in my Shepherd. (Psalms 23:1-6)