Mark 6:34: ” And Jesus, when he came out, saw much (many) people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.”

Which exactly why the Good Shepherd came.

He left the doubtlessly indescribable beauty of heaven and all those created that love, adore, and constantly worship around his throne and came to this earth, humble, meek, to minister to his creation.

He himself, King of the universe becoming as servant as an example to us as to how we should serve others with Godly kindness and charity.

He came as Shepherd, not only to secure his flock but to make known to the world the ways of a true shepherd leading his flock with gentleness, love, and mercy.

As sheep not having a shepherd, they had been injured, lost, and neglected by those who ruled the temple.

Jeremiah 17:14: “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art (you are) my praise.”

The Hosanna that was cried by the multitude to hail his triumphant entry into Jerusalem literally means “save us we pray”.

A cry that is still echoed in innumerable hearts today.

He came as an example to us all.

His compassion and gentleness foreign to those of the temple of that day. So much so that they rejected him, failing to see the truth of who he is, which is exactly whom he claimed to be.

As all expected Messiah to be kingly, resigned, withdrawn from the populace, displaying the same religious snobbery as they.

They were so wrong.

Isiah 40: 8-11:” The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

O Zion, that bringest  good tidings, get the up into the high mountain, O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up your voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid, say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

Behold the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”

That is a far cry from those described in Ezekiel chapter thirty-four as shepherds who rule with cruelty and force.

A sweet spot needed to be understood by the modern church today.

1 Peter 5:1-4: ” The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre (profit and money), but of a ready mind, 

Neither as being lords over God’s heritage but by being ensamples (examples) to the flock. 

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, he gently, lovingly leads his flock to those beautiful green pastures.

But in doing that, he does protect them and he protects them by giving them good food in good fields, which prevents them from being starved to them point that they willingly run into bad pastures to feed on poisonous grasses, such as the false doctrines.

And from becoming prey to wolves. that forever lie in wait just waiting for a lamb to wander or be driven away by those entrusted by the shepherd with their care.

He leads them, he feeds them and when necessary, he carries them until they are able to walk for themselves.

We can see this in our own spiritual journeys, when we have experienced times that we were so wounded, distraught, sorrowful that we couldn’t grasp the path in front us, that is when he carries us.

John 10: 11-16: ” I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth (runs away): and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 

The hireling (hired help) fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

Maybe today you feel discouraged, alone, and not really part of any flock but have hope!

As you read his word, pray and ask him to reveal himself through those words.

Rejected by others is something Jesus knew well while upon the earth, he understands all of our pain and he is our Shepherd.

He is never too busy for his flock, he will never ridicule, insult, or humiliate us.

He will never blame our problems on us, will never drive us away with accusations that our continued suffering is simply a result of our own lack of faith.

He is our Shepherd and as we go into this Holy Week, treat him as such, try to just put out of your mind hurts that have been suffered at the hands of those spiritual hirelings and seek the blessings that are there waiting for you in his care, in his arms as he carries you and just rest there.

ΦλογιζωNBJ 2026/ Rev. N. Brown Johnson

*As always image meant to only depict a shepherd*