Limitless Word

The Good Shepherd

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The LORD as shepherd of his people — and the Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep.

One of Scripture's most tender images: God as a shepherd who leads, feeds, gathers, and seeks. David sings it in Psalm 23; Ezekiel rebukes the false shepherds and promises that God himself, and "my servant David," will shepherd the flock; Zechariah foresees the shepherd struck and the sheep scattered. Then Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" — and Revelation ends with "the Lamb... will be their shepherd."
  1. 1

    The LORD is my shepherd

    Psalms 23:1

    The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

    David's psalm: the shepherd who leads, restores, and walks with us through the valley.
  2. 2

    God will shepherd his flock

    Ezekiel 34:15

    I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord.

    Ezekiel condemns the false shepherds; God himself will seek and feed the sheep.
  3. 3

    Strike the shepherd

    Zechariah 13:7

    “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, the man who is my partner,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Strike down the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn against the lambs.

    Zechariah foresees the shepherd struck and the sheep scattered — quoted of Jesus at Gethsemane.
  4. 4

    "I am the good shepherd"

    John 10:11

    “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.

    Jesus lays down his life for the sheep and gathers one flock.
  5. 5

    The great shepherd of the sheep

    Hebrews 13:20

    Now may the God of peace— who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—

    Hebrews blesses God who raised "the great shepherd" from the dead.
  6. 6

    The Lamb who is their shepherd

    Revelation 7:17

    For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

    In glory the Lamb shepherds his people and wipes every tear away.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.