In many churches across our Synod it's not uncommon to find an artistic rendition of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. More than likely, He has a staff in His hand, sheep at His feet, and a single sheep in His arms. In the early centuries of the Church, the picture of Jesus carrying the lost sheep back to the flock was the most common depiction of the Savior-even more common than the image of Christ on the cross.

Partly because of the simplicity of the imagery and also on account of the popularity of Psalm 23, the Good Shepherd theme is one with which all Christians can resonate. Children can easily be taught the relationship between shepherds and sheep. As adults face the trials and struggles of this life, they can take comfort in the sure hope that comes from knowing Jesus as our Good Shepherd.

Among the numerous hymns that have been inspired by theme of the Good Shepherd is Henry W. Baker's "The King of Love My Shepherd Is" (LW 412; TLH 431; public domain). His text, which is given below, masterfully weaves together Jesus' discourse on the Good Shepherd (John10:1-30) and the familiar words of Psalm 23. After each stanza, several scriptural passages have been included to aid in your meditation on these words.

The King of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. (Ps. 23:1 KJV)

How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me? (Ps. 116:12)

Fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. (Ps.34:9)

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Heb. 13:20,21)

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. (Jam. 1:17)

Where streams of living water flow,
My ransomed soul He leadeth
And, where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me beside still waters. (Ps. 23:2 KJV)

"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7:37b,38)

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. (Rev. 7:17)

"I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die." (John 6:48-50)

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love He sought me
And on His shoulder gently laid
And home rejoicing brought me.

He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. (Ps. 23:3 KJV)"

Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says,`Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." (Luke15:4-7)

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. (Isa. 53:6-8)

In death's dark vale I fear no ill
With Thee, dear Lord, beside me,
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. (Ps. 23:4 KJV)

The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? (Ps. 27:1)

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Heb. 12:2,3)

Thou spreadst a table in my sight;
Thine unction grace bestoweth;
And, oh, what transport of delight
From Thy pure chalice floweth!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (Ps. 23:5 KJV)

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. (Ps. 34:8)

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is My body." Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matt. 26:26-28)

And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
Within Thy house forever.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Ps. 23:6 KJV)

These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. (Rev.7:14b-17)