The Good Shepherd | John 10:11 | Wrexham Gospel Hall | Sunday 3 August 2025

In John 10:11 we read about the Lord Jesus Christ referring to Himself as “the good shepherd.” Why does the Lord Jesus use this imagery of a shepherd? In the times in which Christ walked this earth, in first century Israel, shepherds much like today held a very important position. The shepherd is the keeper, the protector and the provider of his sheep. A flock of sheep without a shepherd are open to attack and prone to wonder into danger.

The prophet Isaiah reminds us, in Isaiah 53:6, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Sheep without a shepherd will go there own way. They will wonder astray from the safety of their master. Everyone of us are like sheep. We wounder and roam trying to find our way in life. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Everyone thinks they are on the right path in life; everyone thinks that they know best. However, the Bible tells us that the way of man leads to death; this is not only physical death, but spiritual death.

God has given us His Word; the Holy Bible to teach us about the way to a fulfilled spiritual life; a life that leads to eternal life.

The Word of God tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to be the Saviour of the world. He gave His life as a ransom for all who believe in Him as Lord and Saviour.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the good shepherd that gave his life for the sheep. His life and ministry was and is one of care and protection for lost sheep. He dedicated his life for His sheep. Christ, as the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

1 Peter 2:25 says, “For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” Ezekiel 34:11 says, “For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.” Here we have one Scripture verse from the Old Testament and another from the New Testament. Both verses speak of the Lord as a loving and caring Saviour of His sheep.

In the Old Testament the children of Israel were required to make a sacrifice for their sin with the blood of animals. This sacrifice covered their sin and it was out of sight as far as God was concerned.

In Exodus 12, God instructed the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and apply its blood to their doorposts. This act served as a sign for God to “pass over” their homes during the final plague in Egypt, sparing their firstborn sons. Leviticus 4:32-35 outlines the use of a lamb as a sin offering for individuals. In the Old Testament the sacrifice of lambs were offered continual as a sin covering.

However, in the New Testament the Lord Jesus Christ is called the Lamb of God. In John 1:29 the Bible says, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” The Lord Jesus is called the Lamb of God because He made the ultimate sacrifice for sin. He offered Himself to take away the punishment and penalty of our sin.

The Bible encourages us to seek the Lord Jesus Christ; to look unto Him.

Jeremiah 29:13 says, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

One of the many promises of God in the Bible is that you will find all that you need in life when you search for Christ as your Saviour.

Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Isaiah 45:22 says, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”

Look unto Christ and be saved.

One of the most well-known Psalms in the Bible is Psalm 23, often called, “the Shepherd’s Psalm.”

READ PSALM 23

V1 – If the Lord is your Shepherd you shall lack nothing. You will have peace with God, peace of mind and peace that passes all understanding.

God is our Shepherd, as illustrated in Psalm 23. In this Psalm, David, a shepherd by profession, demonstrates how the Lord cares for the needs of His people. The role of the Shepherd (Ra’ah) is to nourish, care for, and safeguard his flock, which is why he carries a staff. The sheep have confidence in the shepherd and thus follow him. We go wherever our Shepherd guides us.

When we go our own way we are saying we don’t trust God. When you say, “God is My Shepherd” you are saying you submit to God’s loving care and protection over your life and soul.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. (JOHN 10:14)

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb

Reconciled to God by faith in the Lamb of God.