The Good Life in the Good Hands of the Good Shepherd
The other day when I finished my shift at work, I considered wandering a bit and treating myself to something new. I didn’t need anything; I was tired plus tired of feeling tired and I thought something new could cheer me up. I wanted to buy something to make myself feel “good,” know what I mean?
A GOOD Word
The word “good” is what I call a go-to word. It’s the word we choose to use when we don’t really want to fully answer a question. For example: How was your day at work? It was good. How did the meeting go? It was good. How was your day off? It was good.
I’ve noticed that the phrase “so good” is now a thing. If you listen to podcasts or watch talk TV shows, a common response to another’s statement is “so good.” For instance: Have you tried the latest XYZ product? Oh, so good. I heard so-and-so the other day and she said… Oh, that’s so good. If only we could all get along. Oh, so good
The word good makes us feel, well, good. And yet that doesn’t really tell us anything does it? We overuse the word good to the point we perceive it’s meaning to be something that is just okay, barely acceptable, or mediocre.
A GOOD Definition
According to Merriam-Webster, the word good means: 1. of a favorable character or tendency; bountiful or fertile; handsome or attractive; suitable or fit; profitable or advantageous; agreeable or pleasant; salutary or wholesome; amusing or clever; of a noticeably large size or quantity, considerable, full; well-founded or true, honorable; adequate or satisfactory. 2. virtuous, right and/or commendable; kind or benevolent; upper-class; competent or skillful; loyal; close.[i]
We use the word good for so many things, the definition is confusing. How can one word mean so many things? When we hear the word good, we often discount how good something might actually be, because the word has become ordinary. One could even say the word is no longer good enough.
John 10
In the book of John, chapter 10, Jesus is described as the Good Shepherd. It’s meant to be a strong, complimentary description. In our culture, we aren’t familiar with sheep or shepherds, but to the people in Jesus’ time and culture the title of Good Shepherd was powerful and comforting.
GOOD Provision, GOOD Protection
The image of a shepherd tells us that Jesus will provide for us and protect us.
The shepherd is in charge of making sure the sheep have food and water to survive. Sheep have no way to defend themselves, so it is the shepherd’s responsibility to protect the sheep from any harm. The shepherd not only protects the sheep from other animals that prey on them, but he also protects the sheep from their own unwise choices. He rescues them when they fall into ravines or become tangled in the thicket.
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul says, “And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” God provides for us; Christ is our Shepherd. I do want to note that scripture doesn’t say we will have everything we want, or that God’s timing will look like ours. Just like the sheep trust their shepherd, we also need to trust ours.
Psalm 34 is all about God delivering the righteous, and the Psalmist, David, declares God’s protection over and over. “I sought the Lord and he answered me and rescued me from all my fears.” (v4) “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who hear him and rescues them.” (v7) “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.” (v17) “One who is righteous has many adversities, but the Lord rescues him from them all.” (v19) “The Lord redeems the life of his servants…” (v22)
GOOD Leadership
The image of a Shepherd tells us that Jesus will lead us.
Sheep aren’t known for being brilliant, so the shepherd doesn’t assume the sheep are going to remember where the best hillside is for lunch. Instead, the Shepherd takes the initiative and shows the sheep exactly where to go by leading them. He goes before them so all they need to do is follow wherever he goes.
As believers, we have received the Spirit of Truth that Jesus promised would come once He returned to the Father. In John 16:13, Jesus tells us the Spirit will guide us into all truth. In Psalm 31:3, the Psalmist declares that the Lord leads and guides because that’s who He is. James tells us if we lack wisdom, we just need to ask, and God will give generously (James 1:5-6). These verses reveal our Shepherd doesn’t intend for us to wander aimlessly or in fear.
The GOOD Shepherd
Jesus isn’t just any Shepherd; Jesus is the Good Shepherd
As I mentioned before, the word good doesn’t always come with the best connotations. The word good tends to get washed out of its best meaning. But Jesus isn’t your run-of-the-mill, mediocre shepherd. He isn’t common or ordinary, though He would love to be our go-to answer for anything and everything.
Kalos GOOD
When Jesus declares Himself to be the Good Shepherd in John 10:14, He uses the Greek word kalos, which we translate as good. There is nothing mediocre or common about kalos. Kalos is not always translated as good, it is also translated beautiful or handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, and admirable.
To call something kalos is to say that it perfectly fits its use or purpose, and is therefore of excellent value, something treasured and admired. Calling Jesus the Kalos Shepherd is saying He is the most wonderful and excellent Shepherd anyone could ever imagine. In today’s vernacular He is beyond good, way far beyond good.
We tend to forget how good we’ve got it. Amid the hassle of everyday life, we don’t see Jesus as our Good Shepherd, our Kalos Shepherd. We whine and complain that our trials are wearing us out, days are too long, and rest is hard to find. Life isn’t going as we had hoped so we set out to determine our own way instead of waiting for our Kalos Shepherd to lead us.
Jesus is our KALOS Shepherd
The Spirit of truth has been reminding my heart that I must trust my Good Shepherd because He is kalos. He knows me by name, and He knows I’m weary. Christ has laid His life down for me, and He calls me to listen to His voice.
Perhaps you are like me, and you are tired of being tired. Or you could be celebrating summer and sunshine and living each day in abundance. I’m sure some of you have heartaches that reach beyond words, and you’d be grateful to just be tired.
Allow me to remind us all, Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
He promises to provide and protect, even when life is difficult. He will lead each of us so we reach eternity and are welcomed home by the Father. And He is excellent at His assignment, there is no one better. He is our Kalos Shepherd, and we can trust His goodness.
[i] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/good
Good Photo by Volkan Olmez on Unsplash
Today is one of those days where things aren’t going like I would want them to….I need to rely on the good shepherd. All is well when I rely on Him. Thank you for the reminder.
Bless you dear sister as you rely on the good shepherd and write from the heart.
Love you!! Hugs!!!