Shattering Shepherd

Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10). That means He cares for His flock, leading them to pasture and water (Psalm 23; 1 Peter 5:2; Revelation 7:17). The Good Shepherd is a gentle, nurturing shepherd.

Also a shattering shepherd. Jesus shepherds (poimaino) with an iron rod, suitable for smashing and breaking things (Revelation 2:27-8; 12:5; 19:15; cf. Psalm 2:9, and also 3:7; 58:6; 68:21, 23; 110:5). People are made of clay; nations are vessels of molded and fired clay, clay humanized. Jesus shepherds to shatter nations, and then He offers the same authority to those who persevere and overcome (Revelation 2:27). His saints become His war club to shatter nations (cf. Jeremiah 51:19-23).

These two sides of shepherding go together: Good shepherds always care for the sheep by beating back threats and enemies. Shepherds cannot be good unless they use their rods both to guide and to shatter.