Article of Faith: The Good Shepherd

The article delves into the theological concept of shepherding, particularly as depicted in the Bible, contrasting the failures of human shepherds with the divine care of God and Jesus Christ.

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My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray.

In the Old Testament, prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel condemned the shepherds of Israel for neglecting their flocks, feeding themselves instead of the sheep. God declared His intention to personally seek out and shepherd His scattered people, promising to establish "one shepherd over them, My servant David," later interpreted as a precursor to Jesus Christ.

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You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock.

The text highlights Jesus's fulfillment of this prophecy. Born of the line of David, Jesus is presented as the shepherd foretold. The Psalms, particularly Psalm 23, are cited to show David's acknowledgment of God as his shepherd. Matthew's Gospel further confirms Jesus as the prophesied ruler who would shepherd Israel.

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Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.

Jesus Himself affirmed this role, identifying as the "Good Shepherd" in the Gospel of John. He stated that the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep, knows his own, and brings all sheep into one flock under one shepherd. The article concludes by referencing Ezekiel's prophecy of God feeding His sheep in the mountains and valleys of Israel, reinforcing the theme of divine care and guidance through Christ.

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The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.