The Good Shepherd

This painting, known as the Good Shepherd, is by Bernhard Plockhorst, (1825-1907), a German painter and graphic artist. In Germany, Plockhorst is mainly known to experts today, whereas his pictures are still very popular in the United States and their reproductions can be found in many American homes and churches.

In this painting we see Jesus caring for His sheep and carrying a lamb in his arm, perhaps it is too weak or tired to keep up with the flock.

Jesus often described Himself as the shepherd,  caring for His sheep. On some occasions He also uses a sheep-herding reference by describing Himself as "the gate". Read more about the significance of this HERE.

Let us consider why Christ often mentioned sheep and shepherds when teaching the people.

Unlike most other animals sheep have difficulty foraging for themselves. For instance, foxes don’t need anyone to look after them. Sheep do.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Jesus likened us humans to sheep and saw Himself as our shepherd.

Another feature of sheep is that, unlike mules, they are easily led. This can lead to disaster if there is a bad leader around. But it is truly a great advantage when a good leader comes on the scene.

Fortunately for us, the Good Shepherd has appeared among us. He wants us to follow Him into eternal happiness. The choice is ours.

Jesus cared for us and He still does. He has compassion, meaning "suffering with" from the Latin "com patio". When things go wrong in our lives, He suffers with us. He feels our pains. We are never alone in our trials; even though at our moments of hurt we tend to forget Him. Or even in some cases rebel against Him for allowing our pains.

This is OK ... he can take our anger. After all, He took our anger when hanging there on the Cross.

 Jesus is always with us ... to the end of time. (Matthew 28:20).

He is the Good Shepherd. He loves and cares for His sheep. Even though at times some may go astray. He would leave the whole flock to go searching for the one that is lost.