The Good Shepherd

“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young,” (Isaiah 40:11).

I love the imagery of Christ as the Good Shepherd. It captures His gentle, loving nature and His devotion to leading, guiding, and protecting us. What can we learn about Christ by viewing Him as the Good Shepherd? The scriptures teach us the following. (See 1 Nephi 22:25, Psalm 23:1, Ezekiel 34:12-16, John 10:2-18, Alma 5:37-39, 57-60)

“He shall feed his sheep,” so that they “shall not want,” (1 Nephi 22:25, Psalms 23:1). Just as a shepherd feeds his sheep, the Lord Jesus Christ is the “bread of life,” (John 6:35); those who come unto Him shall neither hunger nor thirst, but shall be filled with His light and shall not want.

He leads His sheep “beside the still waters” and “in him they shall find pasture,” (Psalms 23:1, 1 Nephi 22:25). As the Good Shepherd, He leads His sheep on safe paths, wherein they can find peace and rest. He can help us stay clear of life’s dangers as we learn to put our faith in Him.

He “seeketh out His flock” and will “deliver them,” (Ezekiel 34:12). When found, he will “will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick,” (Ezekiel 34:16) and will “cause them to lie down,” in His rest (Ezekiel 34:15). He can deliver us from evil and heal our hearts.

He “giveth his life for the sheep,” (John 10:11). The Lord explains in His parable that an hireling careth not for the sheep, and fleeth when he seeth the wolf, (John 10:12). But, the Good Shepherd “lay[s] down [his] life for the sheep,” (John 10:15). Christ gave his life for us so that we might live again.

What must we do to be part of his fold?

We must first learn to recognize the beckoning voice of Christ. “…and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name…and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice,” (John 10:2-4). If we do not learn of Christ or seek after His words, how can we recognize His voice? We must come to know Him in our hearts.

Then, we must follow him. “The good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ…All you that are desirous to follow the voice of the good shepherd, come ye out from the wicked, and be ye separate, and touch not their unclean things…And if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold, and ye are his sheep,” (Alma 5:57-60). Jesus added in His own words, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved,” (John 10:9).

I testify that if we come unto him, he will “carry [us] in his bosom” and “gently lead [us].” I have felt Him gather me in His arms and lead me to safe pastures. Through Him, my heart is full with the hope of everlasting life, such that I need not hunger or thirst. He has given His life, such that we might live if we but heed his beckoning call.