The Good Shepherd: Unpacking John 10 Through an Old Testament Lens

Welcome back to Ryan and Brian's Bible Bistro! In this episode, your hosts Ryan and Brian dig into the rich imagery of Jesus as the Good Shepherd in John 10, but with a twist—they take a long, meandering path through the Old Testament to uncover the deeper context. From Genesis to the prophets, the shepherd motif isn’t just about care and comfort (think Psalm 23); it’s a complex tapestry of God’s faithfulness, human failure, and ultimate redemption.

Here’s what’s on the menu this week:

• Shepherds in the Bible: Ryan and Brian explore how shepherds pop up everywhere in Scripture—literally with Abel, Abraham, and Jacob tending flocks, and figuratively with leaders like Moses, David, and even God Himself (Genesis 49, Numbers 27).
• Sheep Without a Shepherd: A recurring Old Testament theme (1 Kings 22, Ezekiel 34, Zechariah 10) reveals the chaos of God’s people under flawed human rulers—greedy, violent, and scattering the flock. Sound familiar? Jesus picks up this thread in Matthew 9 and John 10.
• God as the True Shepherd: Passages like Isaiah 40 and Jeremiah 23 show God stepping in where human shepherds fail, promising to gather His scattered sheep Himself. Spoiler: Jesus fulfills this in a big way.
• John 10 Unpacked: Jesus declares, “I am the Good Shepherd,” contrasting Himself with the “thieves and robbers” (greedy, violent leaders) who came before. Set against the backdrop of Hanukkah—the Feast of Dedication—this claim hits different, challenging even the heroic Maccabean legacy.
• Practical Bible Study Tips: Learn how to dig into Old Testament backgrounds to enrich your understanding of the New Testament. (Shoutout to Logos Bible Software for making it easier!)

Ryan and Brian also share a hilarious real-life shepherd encounter from the Jesus Trail and reflect on how Jesus’ voice still calls us today—unlike the noisy distractions of false shepherds. Plus, a nod to 1 Peter 5, where church leaders are urged to shepherd God’s flock with care, not greed.

Grab a coffee and join us at the Bistro as we connect the dots from ancient pastures to the eternal Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.

Resources Mentioned:

• Check out Kenneth Bailey’s books, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes and his work on shepherds, linked at thebiblebistro.com.
• Visit our website for show notes, past episodes, and book recommendations—your purchases through our links help keep the Bistro brewing!

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If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and tune in next Tuesday for more tasty theological bites. Thanks for stopping by the Bistro!