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I want to understand Jesus. I want to fully know Him. I can know more by understanding the roles and routines of THE good shepherd Jesus.

It should be understood that Jesus is “the” good shepherd, not simply “a” good shepherd, as others may be, but He is unique in character.

“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 10:16

Jesus lays down His life for me. Now that is stunning. Who would do that? Why would He do that?

The Greek word kalos, translated “good,” describes that which is noble, wholesome, good, and beautiful, in contrast to that which is wicked, mean, foul, and unlovely. It signifies not only that which is good inwardly — character — but also that which is attractive outwardly.

It is an innate goodness. Therefore, in using the phrase “the good shepherd,” Jesus is referencing His inherent goodness, His righteousness, and His beauty. As shepherd of the sheep, He is the one who protects, guides, and nurtures His flock.

What are the roles and routines of The Good Shepherd?

  1. The search for pasture (All scripture below from the NASB)
    1. Genesis 37:17 — 17 Then the man said, “They have moved from here; for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’ ” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.
  2. The midday rest
    1. Song of Solomon 1:7 — 7 “Tell me, O you whom my soul loves, Where do you pasture your flock, Where do you make it lie down at noon? For why should I be like one who veils herself Beside the flocks of your companions?”
  3. The night-watch
    1. Luke 2:8 — 8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
    2. Jeremiah 43:12 — 12 “And I shall set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt, and he will burn them and take them captive. So he will wrap himself with the land of Egypt as a shepherd wraps himself with his garment, and he will depart from there safely.
  4. Shearing, an annual festival
    1. 1 Samuel 25:7–8 — 7 ‘Now I have heard that you have shearers; now your shepherds have been with us and we have not insulted them, nor have they missed anything all the days they were in Carmel. 8 ‘Ask your young men and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we have come on a festive day. Please give whatever you find at hand to your servants and to your son David.’ ”
  5. The use of pens and folds
    1. Psalm 50:9 — 9 “I shall take no young bull out of your house Nor male goats out of your folds.
    2. Habakkuk 3:17 — 17 Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls,
    3. John 10:1 — 1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.
    4. John 10:16 — 16 “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.
  6. Breeding
    1. Genesis 30:40 — 40 Jacob separated the lambs, and made the flocks face toward the striped and all the black in the flock of Laban; and he put his own herds apart, and did not put them with Laban’s flock.
  7. Rearing
    1. Genesis 27:16 — 16 And she put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck.
    2. Genesis 27:27 — 27 So he came close and kissed him; and when he smelled the smell of his garments, he blessed him and said, “See, the smell of my son Is like the smell of a field which the Master has blessed;
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