The Parable of the Good Shepherd is one of John's few parables. It emphasizes Christ's sovereignty: He is the great and benevolent Owner of His sheep.

In John 10, Jesus characterizes Himself as the 'Good Shepherd' who loves and cares for His sheep. This is shown in His providential leadership of His church.

Even though under-shepherds do not always perfectly emulate Christ, He has nevertheless established their roles and has gifted them to serve in this way.

God's people are often compared to sheep, yet some question whether they need a human shepherd. How does one know whether a minister is a true shepherd?

We are cautioned to test the spirits contained in what a shepherd says to see whether they come from God. The world is not able to understand this message.

Sheep are being lured, not with good food, clean water, and peace, but with promises of being a part of something big and of protection from the Tribulation.

What would it be like to live the life of a shepherd 3,000 years ago in Bethlehem, tending the flocks from pen to pasture?

Jesus' discourse in Luke 15 is essentially one distinct parable with three illustrations. He reveals that He came into the world to seek and save the lost.

The modern nations of Israel, by turning its back on the truth, has blown its opportunity for moral leadership every bit as much as ancient Judah did.

Of all animals, sheep need the most care and are extremely vulnerable to predators, pests, and fear, leading to extremely dependent and trusting behavior.

Christ's life and death were supernatural in that He had God's Spirit from the beginning, giving Him power over things, as well as undeniable logic.

Psalm 23 depicts the gratitude we should display from a sheep's point of view, as the animal boasts of blessings and marvels about the care of his Shepherd.

This is an oft-repeated refrain in these days of distrust of the ministry. But is it a godly attitude? What does the Bible say about human leadership?

The shepherd and door analogies in John 10 depict the close relationship of Jesus with His flock as the security and stability provided by His protection.

The last chapters in Numbers describe a lengthy holding pattern in which not much seemed to happen. We must have patience as we wait for the Kingdom of God.

Success in spiritual things does not consist in growing large and powerful, but humbly living by faith, overcoming, and yielding to God's shaping power.

The valley-of-shadow imagery symbolizes the fears, trials, and tests needed to produce character, quality fruit, and an intimate trust in the shepherd.

Sheep are the most dependent on their owner for their well-being. From the viewpoint of the sheep, the quality of care of the shepherd is of utmost importance.

In the combined history of Judah and Israel, when the leaders abandoned the covenants with God, the citizenry generally followed suit.