The Church as a Flock

 Sheep and their shepherds were common sights in ancient Bible lands. Even today, you can see shepherds in the fields of Israel. No wonder the image of a flock of sheep became a picture of the church.

In the tenth chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus describes His people as sheep, humble creatures in need of a loving, faithful shepherd. In verse 14 Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd, I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” In verse 16, He says “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”

Through His death on the cross, as the spotless Lamb of God, Jesus made it possible for us to enter into His flock by faith. In fact, Jesus invites us to listen to His voice and follow Him. However, like sheep we tend to wander from the protective fold of our shepherd. Isaiah 53.6 reminds us, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Our sinful human nature prompts us to launch out on our own, to become distant from our shepherd, and to try to be independent from the flock. But Jesus invites us back to His protective, loving care. When we put our faith in Jesus, He guides us into the fellowship of other sheep. He unites us as a flock, His church.

Within the church, Jesus Christ has appointed certain individuals to serve as shepherds for His flock. Another word for shepherd is ‘pastor’. Pastors have been called by God to protect and lead the church. In Acts 20.28, Paul told pastors, ”Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” Pastors have a high calling, a humble position, and a huge responsibility as shepherds of Christ’s church.

Ultimately, however, Jesus Christ Himself is the Shepherd of the church. In John 10.11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Jesus gave His life on the cross in order to save us from the deadliest enemy, death itself. Hebrews 13.20 describes the resurrected Jesus as “that great Shepherd of the sheep.” First Peter 5.4 tells us, “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” Jesus is the good Shepherd, the great Shepherd, and the chief Shepherd. He died for the flock. He rose from the dead for the sake of the flock. He rewards His flock with eternal glory. The church is a flock, humble sheep under the care of the most loving Shepherd. With the writer of Psalm 23.1, we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my shepherd.”