Few people in our Western culture understand the powerful biblical metaphor of a shepherd and his sheep. In ancient times, the shepherd symbolized a ruler who wielded authority by divine right. The ideal ruler would also care for his people. Jesus came to fulfill the ancient prophecies that God would raise up a Shepherd-King who would rule and care for God’s people. Jesus embraced this imagery as his own when he said, “I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:14). The empty tomb declares that Jesus has the right to rule as King and that he will do so with loving care for his people.
