• Shepherding God’s Flock With Love
    The Watchtower—1994 | October 1

    • The Fine Shepherd’s Example

      4. What is the role of Jesus in caring for God’s flock?

      4 God’s Son, Jesus, learned well from his Father, for the Bible calls Jesus “the fine shepherd.” (John 10:11-16) His vital service to God’s flock is noted in Revelation chapter 7. In Re 7 verse 9, God’s servants of our day are called “a great crowd . . . out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues.” Then Re 7 verse 17 states: “The Lamb [Jesus] . . . will shepherd them, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.” Jesus guides God’s sheep to the waters of truth that lead to everlasting life. (John 17:3) Note that Jesus is called “the Lamb,” indicating his own sheeplike qualities, he being the chief example of submissiveness to God.

      5. How did Jesus feel about people?

      5 On earth Jesus walked among the people and saw their pathetic condition. How did he respond to their plight? “He felt pity for them, because they were skinned and thrown about like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36) Sheep without a shepherd suffer greatly at the hands of predators, as do sheep who have uncaring shepherds. But Jesus cared very much, for he said: “Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for your souls. For my yoke is kindly and my load is light.”​—Matthew 11:28-30.

      6. What consideration did Jesus show for the downtrodden?

      6 Bible prophecy foretold that Jesus would deal lovingly with people: “Jehovah has anointed me . . . to bind up the brokenhearted, . . . to comfort all the mourning ones.” (Isaiah 61:1, 2; Luke 4:17-21) Never did Jesus look down upon the poor and unfortunate. Rather, he fulfilled Isaiah 42:3: “No crushed reed will he break; and as for a dim flaxen wick, he will not extinguish it.” (Compare Matthew 12:17-21.) Afflicted ones were like crushed reeds, like lamp wicks about to go out for lack of fuel. Recognizing their pitiable state, Jesus showed them compassion and infused them with strength and hope, healing them spiritually and physically.​—Matthew 4:23.