I am the GOOD shepherd

A few days ago I was listening to some preaching on Premier Christian Radio. In the few moments of listening to the preacher, he drew attention to the meaning attached to just one word. But that word opens up glorious depths of meaning.

Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd." (John 10)

The word "good" here is the word "kalos".

Strongs expresses the semantic field (range of meaning) of "kalos" in the following terms: ""beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable". Like the wine at Cana, or the precious stones adorning the Jerusalem temple, or the Fair Haven of Acts 27.

There is a Christian text called the Philokalia, which is a compendium of commendable things, beloved of those who read them.

When we say Christ is the good shepherd, he is more that just the "not evil" shepherd; he is the excellent, appealing, choice, fitting shepherd.

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