The Good Shepherd
Copyright 2007, Prophetess Doris Annette Lindsay

“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness and go after that which is lost until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulder, rejoicing.” – Luke 15:4-5. “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep and am known of mine.” – St. John 10:14

The15th Chapter of Luke includes three parables which all serve the same purpose and that is to illustrate Jesus’ desire to save the lost. These parables were designed to show the kind of love God has for sinners and the pleasure he takes in the conversion of sinners.

In Verse 1 of Chapter 15, Jesus was teaching, and the publicans and sinners drew near unto him because they were very interested in what he had to say. Jesus affectionately receives them and welcomes them in his presence because these were the very people he wanted to reach. However, the Pharisees and Scribes, those groups of religious and self-righteous people who were considered the teachers and interpreters of the law, the voice of tradition, yet often guilty of adding their own man-made rules to the law of God had a problem with what Jesus was doing. They didn’t like what they were witnessing, and because they were often quite vocal in their opposition towards Jesus’ ministry, they murmured and complained and brought accusations against Him, saying, “This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them.” [Luke 15:2]

They were upset that Jesus was preaching the message of God’s love to sinners, bringing them to repentance and reforming the lives of a group of people whom they felt were unworthy to receive this privilege. After all, their name, Pharisee, in its Hebrew form means Separatists or Separated Ones; they lived in separate communities and did not fellowship with sinners.

They felt that only the Jews reserved the right and the privilege of being pardoned for their sins. However, openly, their major complaint and accusation was that Jesus was receiving these types of people into his personal circle, and was eating and fellowshipping with them. They did not openly express what was really on their minds because they were too ashamed to admit that they felt that these people Jesus was ministering to were not deserving of God’s salvation. It would have looked bad on their part to admit that because after all, they had a position and an image to represent.

It makes one wonder how many modern-day Scribes and Pharisees we have around today. Those who are so self-righteous that they feel that certain sinners aren’t worthy of being in our presence, are too filthy and too sinful to be ministered to, and are not welcome in our churches. Hmmm…

Anyway, the Scribes and Pharisees pointed out the fact that Jesus was keeping company with sinners, which they felt was inconsistent with the dignity of his character and not only that, it was contrary to the tradition of the elders. So, Jesus justifies his actions in this particular parable, which demonstrates the kind of love he has for sinners and also shows them that they should also possess and demonstrate this same kind of love towards those who are lost.

But notice in this particular parable and in several other passages of scripture, Jesus identifies himself as the Shepherd in relationship to us as his people, and he often describes us as his sheep, and you’d probably wonder why until you understand the sheep’s characteristics.

If you’ve ever studied sheep you’ll find out that they are not the smartest animals in the world; they rank amongst the dumbest animals God ever created. You won’t find them in a circus because they are not trainable. They don’t look like some of these pretty pictures we see portrayed in some of our Bibles or on some of our beautiful church stained glass windows where you’ll see a beautiful, tiny, pure white lamb, lying at the feet of the Shepherd or resting peacefully in the Shepherd’s arms. No, sheep are dirty and defenseless, yet Jesus compares them to us.

• No other creature strays more easily than a sheep and when they stray, they are often incapable of finding their way back home. They easily wander off and never learn from their mistakes. They often get themselves in bad situations that only the Shepherd can get them out of and then once they are out it, they’ll turn around and do the same thing again. How dumb, you might say. Yet Jesus compares them to us.



• They are easily frightened and confused, so much so that they have been known to plunge off of cliffs in their fear and confusion. How cowardly and defenseless! Yet Jesus compares them to us.



• They constantly need guidance and protection, yet the Father compares them to us.

Now, let us look at the characteristics of the Shepherd in relationship to his sheep. Keep in mind that Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd.

• A Good Shepherd knows his sheep. He has a special relationship with them. He knows their nature and he knows them by name. Most shepherds did not own a lot of sheep. Their flocks were no larger than 10 or 20 sheep so the Shepherd is able to tell them apart. To you and me they might all look the same but to the Shepherd they are all special. The Shepherd lives amongst the sheep and develops a relationship with them. He studies his sheep and learns their distinctive sounds and characteristics. He gets them to trust him. Jesus said, “I am the good Shepherd and know my sheep and am known of mine.” [St. John 10:14]



• The Good Shepherd protects the sheep. He places himself between his sheep and any attacks of the enemy. He is the gate to the sheep. After the sheep are in the pen for the night, the shepherd has been known to lie across the opening of the sheep pen so that nothing could get in or out of the pen without the shepherd knowing it. Sheep are always in need of protection because sheep by their very nature are anxious creatures; they are timid and easily aggravated. However, when the Shepherd is present, and they become aware of his presence, it calms the sheep. They sense his love and somehow know that regardless of the situation, the shepherd will take care of them. Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” [St. John 10:11]



• The Good Shepherd leads his sheep. Sheep learn to know the voice of their shepherd and they follow only his voice. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me.” [St. John 10:27] When a stranger comes they flee. A Good Shepherd leads his sheep daily to rest in a quiet pasture and to a place of safety. David experienced a relationship with God in allowing the Lord to be his Shepherd and his guide when he wrote, The 23rd Psalm “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures…”

In conclusion, Jesus used this parable to express his love, care and concern for the lost; those who are in sin and those who have gone astray. If you are lost today or have somehow strayed away from the Lord, please know that the Heavenly Father still loves you. Although you may have wandered off, He wants you to know that his love is unconditional.

We all like sheep are prone to wander, but the Good Shepherd still wants us and His desire is that not one is lost. He loves us in spite of ourselves. No matter what we’ve done, He is still willing to receive us back if we are willing to acknowledge our sins and shortcomings, repent, obey His Word, take heed to his voice and answer when He calls.

And that’s why in His Word, he so often compares us to sheep because he knows us and he knows that just like sheep, we can sometimes do dumb things and make wrong choices; we become so frightened and confused by life’s circumstances that we forget to trust in Him.

Sometimes we may have unrighteous thoughts and something we may have done may have caused us to feel dirty, filthy and unclean. It may seem like we have strayed too far from the Shepherd (our Heavenly Father) that it’s impossible to find our way back to Him, but He is there for us. He said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” [Heb. 13:5]

Jesus wants us to know that like sheep, He understands that we need guidance and protection in our lives and like a Good Shepherd, He can be that for us if we will trust in Him. He wants us to know that when we go astray, he loves us enough to come after us. He seeks after us and continues to call us by our names until he finds us again, and leads us safely home to our rightful place with Him. Oh What Love! Let Him be your Shepherd today. “For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting and his truth endureth to all generations.” [Psalm 100:5] He is THE GOOD SHEPHERD!