Jesus, Your Good Shepherd

He tends his flock like a shepherd:
    He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
    he gently leads those that have young (Isaiah 40:11).

Jesus, your Good Shepherd

As you may have noticed, in the Book of Isaiah, the prophet uses imagery or picture language. These describing words tell of God’s judgement for Israel’s sin and Gods plan for forgiveness, comfort and hope in the coming Messiah.  In this passage Isaiah gives us an image of a Good Shepherd, who is leading, feeding, carrying those weak, those who cannot walk and gently leading the mother sheep with their young. We often interpret these meaning children and those who care for them, those young in years and faith.   Think of the name of our own Good Shepherd church and school community, Little Lambs Playgroup – about the littlest ones that are precious to him. It is acknowledging our Good Shepherd – who his is and who we are.

During the years of my mother’s long illness, where she was paralysed by a stroke, this passage gave me great comfort. I visualized Jesus carrying my mother in his arms, close to his heart, protected by his caring arms and ultimately carrying her home to glory.  I also visualised Jesus, the Good Shepherd walking alongside me too.  Where you are in relation to your Good Shepherd?

Julie Freund