My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27.
Today your LORD (יהוה) God (אלהים) says:
I am your Shepherd, I am your guide, your life can be wondrous with Me at your side. Come to Me. Run to Me. Truth I’ll impart, you will gain wisdom and peace in your heart. A shepherd leads and guides His ship primarily by His voice and that is how I primarily guide you, by My Word, so much so that My Word became flesh and dwelt among you as your great good Shepherd.
Jesus is the way back home to Me. He came to save you and to bring you home to My house forever.
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” John 14:1-4.
And the way He leads you home is as your great good Shepherd. He laid down His life for His sheep.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6.
I have always been your Shepherd. Yahavah Rohi. A shepherd knows His sheep and the sheep know the shepherd. From when Jacob called Me His shepherd to when David called Me his shepherd, to when Ezekiel prophesied that I would shepherd My sheep to when Micah prophesied that the Messiah born in Bethlehem would arise to shepherd His flock, to Jesus revealing that He was that great good Shepherd through and in whom I would seek, heal, and gather the lost sheep to bring them home on paths of righteousness with their heads anointed with oil and their cups overflowing with abundant life. And when I raised Jesus from the dead after He laid down His life for His sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant I raised Him up as your great good Shepherd who would lead you, guide you, and equip you for every good work.
Why do I call Myself your Shepherd and fulfill that name in Jesus?
Take a look at what a shepherd does for his sheep and you will understand why.
A shepherd guides his flock by his voice. He calls each one by name and they know his voice and follow him. Do you see? I guide you by My Word. My Word is a light to your path and a lamp to your feet. My Word is life to those who find it and health to all their flesh. My Word is food that nourishes your spirit. My Word gives you direction and guidance in every area of your life because it is truth. And the Holy Spirit who breathed My Word into manifestation guides you to all truth, which sets you free.
He sent His Word to heal you and deliver your from all destruction. Psalm 107:20.
A shepherd guides his sheep in right paths through a blend of leading from the front, following from behind, and building deep trust by knowing each sheep’s voice, needs, and personality, providing food, water, protection from predators, comfort, and correction with his staff and voice, ensuring they stay together and thrive.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:5-6.
Leading by Example: The shepherd walks ahead, showing the path, and the sheep follow because they recognize his presence and trust his direction.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:3.
Let us take a closer look at how the shepherd leads his sheep.
Leading from Behind: Walking behind allows the shepherd to see if any sheep stray and gently guide them back with his staff, preventing them from getting lost.
The Lord (Adonai), your Teacher, will no longer hide Himself but your eyes will behold your Teacher. Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left. Isaiah 30:20-21.
Voice and Naming: Sheep learn to recognize the shepherd’s unique voice, following him willingly. A good shepherd knows his sheep by name and calls them, creating a strong bond.
I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. John 10:14-16.
The Staff & Rod: Used for gentle prodding, guiding, and protecting the flock. The rod helps count sheep at night and check for injuries or matting.
Even though I walk through the dark valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4.
Providing Needs: The shepherd leads them to green pastures (food) and still waters (drink), ensuring their physical sustenance.
The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. Psalm 23:1-3.
Protection and Care: Guards against predators and provides comfort, sometimes carrying lambs close. He also tends to sick or wounded sheep, giving individual attention.
I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest,” declares the Lord LORD. “I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and strengthen the sick.” Ezekiel 34:15-16.
Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes. Isaiah 40:11.
Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:35-26
The Relationship: Trust and Consistency: A strong bond built over time allows sheep to feel safe and follow without force.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30.
Patience: Guiding involves patience, ensuring the slow and steady pace of the entire flock, not just the fastest sheep.
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. Psalm 103:8.
Sacrificial Service: The ultimate model of a shepherd is one who is willing to lay down their life for the flock, demonstrating ultimate care and commitment.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. John 10:10-15.
In essence, shepherding is about intimate knowledge, patient presence, and selfless provision, making the sheep feel secure enough to follow into the unknown.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
And He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes. Revelation 7:16-17.
I love you. It is time for you to know My voice and listen to the One I have sent you to speak it. Yes, Jesus, your great High Priest and your great good Shepherd giving you everything you need for life and godliness.
Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21.