Christ the Good Shepherd
Oil on wood panel
9.25" x 9.25" x .75"

The LORD is my shepherd.
I will not need anything.
He makes me lie down in green fields.
He leads me to waters where I can rest.
(Psalm 23:1-2)

Imagery of Christ as the Good Shepherd is ancient. It was a popular motif in the early Christian art when Jesus was portrayed as a beardless youth collecting sheep, along with such symbols as a fish, peacock, and anchor. This symbolic representation of Christ as a Good Shepherd is based on several Biblical passages. It is mentioned in the Psalms and revisited throughout the four Gospels.

John 10:1-18 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn't own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them. The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn't care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I'm known by my own; even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father. "


This Icon portrays Christ with a sheep over his shoulders and shepherd's staff resting on his arm. The cross behind Him is a reminder that “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Colors also carry deep symbolism: His outer clothes is blue, signifying his divine nature, while the tunic is of bright red color and stands for the Shepherd's blood shed for His sheep. Together this colors represent the two natures of Christ (the divine and the human) that were united in Him without confusion or change. He is truly the perfect God and perfect man. The golden background represents the Eternal Uncreated Light, that helps us see the Heavenly Realm when we gaze at the Icon. Christ, the Good Shepherd, leaves his fold in search of us - His sheep that wondered away from the safety of the enclosure of God's Holy Commandments. He brings us back and reunites to Himself.