I Am the Good Shepherd
Psalm 23 famously begins, “The Lord is my shepherd.” Interestingly, the word translated “Lord,” is the divine name of God YHWH, i.e.: “YHWH is my shepherd.” The shepherd motif is used throughout the Old Testament where YHWH continually refers to Himself as the Shepherd of Israel (e.g.: Ezekiel 34:11-31).
To modern ears, this self-identification may seem odd. However, in the ancient Near East, the motifs of shepherds and kings were strongly linked. Kings were often referred to as shepherds of their people (e.g.: Isaiah 44:28). Thus, when YHWH is referred to as Shepherd, it reinforces God’s role as His people’s true and divine king.
With this context in mind, when Jesus declares “I am the Good Shepherd,” (John 10:11) not only is He declaring Himself as Israel’s true King, but He is also simultaneously equating Himself to YHWH! This was outrageous to Jesus’ hearers. However, to His disciples who believed in Him, this is comforting, because Jesus promises to feed and protect us as our Shepherd-King. How does He feed us? With His own body and blood (remember Jesus’ words, “I am the bread of life,” [John 6:53-58]) freely and abundantly given to us through His Word and Sacrament. How does He protect us?
By defeating sin, death and the devil who seeks to devour us. We have nothing to want, we have nothing to fear! As Psalm 23 reminds us, “Jesus is my shepherd, I shall not want. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Jesus is with me. His rod and his staff comfort me. And I shall dwell in Jesus’ house forever and ever. Amen.”
