“He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.” (Micah 5:4)

It is a simple, yet profound, statement when Jesus calls Himself, “the good shepherd.” (John 10:11) The first thought says to us that Jesus compared His ministry as a shepherd who is there to take care of His sheep, feeding, caring, leading, protecting, and if necessary, giving His life for the sheep. It is here where Jesus expresses the reason He has come. “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) Just as He had expressed to His Disciples, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (Luke 9:22)

The idea of Jesus as a shepherd is more than the event of the cross and resurrection. They are the beginning of what Jesus has come to do as the shepherd. In the ancient world the King was known as a shepherd who was the leader and caretaker of the people. King David’s position as a shepherd in his youth was a theme throughout his reign as a shepherd king. With a descendant of David to be on the throne forever, the promise of a Messiah was also that of a shepherd king. David would tell the people that God is his Shepherd as He should be theirs.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:1-6)

This brings us to the prophecy of Micah concerning the promised Messiah. The Messiah will be a Shepherd, a King, and is God. Through this promised one there will be strength and security offered to His own in the Kingdom. And His Kingdom will reach to the whole world.

Paul would describe the strength given to believers no matter what they face on this earth. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13)

Jesus speaks of the security found in Him for those who have come to Him by faith. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30)

Scripture would also tell us that the Kingdom of God will reach to the whole world. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14) Jesus would also commission the church to take the message to the world. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) The promise is realized in the Book of Revelation. “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’” (Revelation 7:9-10)

Walking with the Living Word of God is to know the one who is the Good Shepherd and to follow Him.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block