But the God of peace, who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, in the power of the blood of the eternal covenant, perfect you in every good work to the doing of His will, doing in you what is pleasing before Him through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for the ages of ages. Amen. Hebrews 13:20–21 JND
As the writer of Hebrews concludes his remarkable God-inspired letter, which he calls a “word of exhortation” (Heb. 13:22), he brings one final characterization of Christ’s greatness before his readers: He is the great shepherd of the sheep.
The Lord Jesus is described as a shepherd on several occasions in the New Testament. He is the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep (Jn. 10:11); He is the Great Shepherd who has been raised from the dead and leads His own (Heb. 13:20); and He is the Chief Shepherd who will come in glory and reward His under-shepherds (1 Pet. 5:4). These three features are remarkably foreshadowed in Psalms 22, 23, and 24. He suffered on the cross for us (Ps. 22); He is the Shepherd who presently guides us to green pastures and restores our soul (Ps. 23); and He is the King of glory (Ps. 24). He died for us, He lives for us, and He is coming again for us.
The blood of the eternal covenant is the basis for all, the “new covenant in My blood” which was shed for us (Lk. 22:20; cf. Ezek. 37:26). We find other shepherds in the Bible: Jacob, Moses, David, and Cyrus are all described as shepherds; but none of them are called “great.” We have no excuse to walk in paths of sin, we who are under the watchful eye and care of the Great Shepherd.
We’ll sing of the Shepherd that died
That died for the sake of the flock;
His love to the utmost was tried,
But firmly endured as a rock.