Lamb of God, Good Shepherd

Our faith uses symbolisms, in which people, animals or objects are invested with meaning to help us comprehend truths and ideas.

Two of the symbolisms are the lamb and the shepherd. They symbolize Jesus Christ. He is God’s lamb, the only begotten son of the Father sent into the world so that we might have life through him (Jn 1:14; 1 Jn 4:9). John the Babtist points at Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (Jn 1:29, 35). Jesus tells of himself, “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (Jn 10:11, 15).

Lamb of God

A lamb is meek. Jesus is meek. He invites us to come to him, to take his yoke upon him and to learn from him, for he is meek and humble of heart (cf Mt 11:28-30). Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land (Mt 5:5). Meekness is precious in the sight of God (cf 1 Pt 3:4).

A lamb is obedient. Jesus was obedient. “Not as I will, but as you will,” he cried to his Father at Gethsemani (Mt 26:39). He humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross (Phil 2:8). He asks from us the same filial obedience. Whoever does the will of his heavenly Father is his brother, and sister, and mother (Mt 12:50), and will enter heaven (Mt 7:21).

A lamb is a sacrificial animal. Christ, the one mediator between his Father and the human race, came into the world to serve, that men may have life and have it to the full, giving his life once and for all as a ransom for mankind’s sins, and drawing all men to himself (cf 1 Tim 2:56; Mt 20:28; Jn 10:10; Heb 7:26-27; Jn 12:32).

Christ offered his life once to take away the sins of men. He will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him (Heb 9:28).

Good Shepherd

The shepherd loves his sheep. Jesus Christ loves and cares for his flock. His flock are those who wish to enter into his life by keeping his commandments (cf Mt 19:17). “If you love me keep my commandments” (Jn 14:15). Blessed are those who listen to his word and keep it, for they are his true disciples (Lk 11:28; Jn 8:31). They shall remain in God’s love, never see death but have eternal life (cf Jn 15:10; Jn 8:5; 1Jn 12:25). We are children of God in Jesus Christ and we all belong to him (cf Gal 3:26, 29).

The shepherd is a protector. Jesus Christ protects those who believe in him. “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture” (Jn 10:9). He will go out in search of any of his sheep that has gone astray, for it is not the will of his Father that any one of his little ones be lost (cf Mt 18:12-14). He has other sheep that do not belong to his fold and they will hear his voice, and he must lead them, so there will only be one flock and one shepherd (Jn 10:16). He protects his sheep from thieves or those who preach not his teaching. Let him be accursed who preaches any other gospel; they are not welcome in his fold (cf cf Gal 1:8; 2 Jn 9-11).

Christ instructed his disciples to proclaim the kingdom of God to the lost sheep (Mt 10:6-7). Jesus after his resurrection commanded Peter. Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep (Jn 21:15-17).

Christ calls upon each of us to be like a lamb obedient to his commandments, and a shepherd to take care of his flock and to seek the lost sheep.

When Christ returns again, he will place his sheep on his right hand, who will inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world. His sheep are those who gave food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, welcome to the stranger, clothing to the naked, care to the sick, visit to the prisoner; for whoever has done it to the least of his sisters and brothers, has done it also for him (cf Mt 25:33-40).

And the Lamb will shepherd the sheep and lead them to the springs of life-giving water (cf Rev 7:17).