The good shepherd

“I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me – just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father – and I lay down My life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15
Yesterday we saw how Jesus likened Himself to the gate for the sheep, which was a role that the shepherd would take at night as the sheep were herded into a pen. This speaks of protection, and also of leadership.
Here, Jesus calls Himself the good shepherd. It is a throwback not only to the well-known Ps. 23, but also to Ezek. 34. There, we read: “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I Myself will search for My sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after My sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness” (Ezek. 34:11-12).
Being a good shepherd, Jesus tells us, means having intimate knowledge of each sheep. The sheep trust the shepherd, because they know he cares for them. Jesus says that He knows us – and we know Him – just as intimately as He and the Father know each other. His knowledge of us is complete; our knowledge of Him is not yet complete, but will be one day (1 Cor. 13:12).
Jesus also tells us that He lays down His life for the sheep. No explanation of what this means is needed. He paid the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf.