am the good shepherd.

The Lord does not say that he is the only shepherd. God had in times past sent other shepherds to lead the flock of Israel who had led it to the best of their ability, though imperfectly, but he is distinguished from them as the Good Shepherd. He is the "True Vine" (15:1); the "True Bread" (6:32), as well as the Good Shepherd. The great characteristic of the Good Shepherd is indicated in verse 11, as his devotion of his own life to the sheep.

I know my sheep.

He knows every one of them, personally, tenderly, lovingly, by name. The very hairs of our heads are numbered.

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