From the Pulpit: ‘I Am the Good Shepherd’

This month we have considered a couple of the “I AM” sayings of Jesus, and we have connected his “I AM” sayings with the conversation that Moses had with God (Exodus 3) in which God told Moses that God’s name is “I AM”.  Some of the “I AM” sayings of Jesus include: “I am the Bread of Life” (John 6), “I am the Light of the World” (John 8), “I am the gate” (John 10), “I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10), “I am the Resurrection and the Life” (John 11), “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14), and “I am the Vine” (John 15).  

A common sight in the Middle East is a shepherd, with sheep following behind.  Jesus often used such common sights and experiences to help people understand who he is and what he offers to those who would follow him.  Speaking of sheep, Jesus reminded the people that a shepherd goes ahead of the sheep; that the sheep follow the shepherd.  The reason the sheep follow the shepherd is because the sheep know the shepherd’s voice.  The shepherd does not herd them from behind, chasing them this way and that, but simply walks ahead of them and the sheep follow.  The implication is that the sheep follow because they trust the shepherd; they know that the shepherd cares for them.  The sheep follow because they know the shepherd will lead them to good pastures and streams where they can drink.

After hearing Jesus say this, I imagine the people might have said, “Ok, we know about sheep and shepherds.  We’ve seen shepherds leading their sheep.  So, what’s your point?”

Jesus told the people bluntly, “I am the good shepherd.”  Jesus then went on to tell them (telling you and me) what the good shepherd does for his sheep: that he lays down his life for the sheep, saving them from the attack of the wolf.  He says, “I know my own and my own know me…and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

Sheep are helpless animals, vulnerable to being attacked by wolves.  Jesus knows that we are also vulnerable to being attacked.  St. Peter wrote in his first letter to the Church, (1 Peter 5:8) “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  Jesus, our shepherd, laid down his life for us so that we would be saved from the attacks of the evil one; so that the devil would not have his way with us; so that we would be saved from the destruction that the devil wants to bring upon our lives.  Jesus said, “I AM the Good Shepherd”.  Jesus is the one who David trusted in when he declared in the 23rd Psalm. “The LORD is my shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul ...”

Jesus is “I AM.” In so many ways, Jesus is the One who brings God’s mercy and grace and righteousness into our lives so that as we live by faith in him, along with David, we too would know that we “shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23).