Clothesline 296 "8 Qualities of a Shepherd"

The Good Shepherd—one of the most beautiful, pastoral images we have of Jesus. The Shepherd, caring for the sheep, protecting them from harm, always watching over them. Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd and Scripture refers to those who follow Jesus as his sheep.

Today, if we were asked to name a one who would take on the job of ‘protector’, we probably wouldn’t think of a shepherd, would we? Of course not! But to the first readers of the Bible, the shepherd was a perfect image, and only God himself could orchestrate such a perfect correlation between an ancient occupation and our present-day Jesus as Shepherd.

So how does this idea of an ancient shepherd and Jesus as our shepherd fit together? Scripture gives us eight necessary requirements for the ancient shepherd, and every one applies perfectly to Jesus, our Good Shepherd:

First, a shepherd must provide pasture for his sheep. Like the ancient shepherd, Jesus provides pasture for those he loves. Our pasture is The Ten Commandments, our living space of safety from the evil outside that surrounds us.

Second, a shepherd must provide water. Unlike needing a well from which to draw water, Jesus Himself said, “I will give you living water and you will never thirst again.”

Third, a shepherd must protect the sheep. We have the ultimate protection in Jesus, who even died in order that we might live with him in heaven.

Fourth, a shepherd will search for lost sheep. In His own words, Jesus says that the Good Shepherd will “leave the ninety-nine behind and go in search of the one that went astray.”

Fifth, a shepherd cares for the injured sheep. Jesus healed his people when he walked this earth, and he continues to hear our prayers for healing and wholeness.

Sixth, a shepherd accounts for all his sheep. One of the names of Jesus—“I am the Gate”—refers to his promise to know and account for every single one of his sheep, that every sheep knows his voice and he will lead them in and out.

Seventh, a shepherd knows what happens to each sheep. Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me.”

Eighth, a shepherd shears the sheep. Jesus doesn’t exactly “sheer” us, but he does “prunes” us in order that we may learn and grow to our potential.

The qualifications of a shepherd. And while such a profession might not be what we would strive for, Jesus chose that exact one to lead those he loves from this life into the next. Like sheep, we aren’t perfect…but Jesus loves us anyway, because he is leading us to that day when we will be perfect in his Father’s house in heaven.