Grace Community Church Listen Again

In this discussion, we explore the biblical theme of shepherds, starting with Ezekiel’s prophecy, where he calls out the failings of Israel’s leaders and portrays them as poor shepherds. We look at how shepherds were often viewed negatively throughout the Old Testament — seen as lowly in Egyptian society and later met with scepticism from religious authorities. But despite that reputation, there’s something deeply significant about the fact that shepherds were the first to hear the news of Jesus’ birth. It’s a powerful reminder of how Jesus chooses to identify with those on the margins — the overlooked and the underestimated. At the centre of this message is Jesus calling himself the ​“good shepherd” in the Gospel of John. This isn’t just about restoring the shepherd’s image — it’s about revealing the true heart of God: a God who cares, who searches, who rescues. It’s a contrast to some of the more distorted or fear-driven images of God we might carry. We wrap up with a personal reflection on why it matter