The Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, recalls that Jesus is the “king of kings.” However, he is not a king in the oppressive sense, but in the biblical sense, a shepherd who guards his flock.
King David, the first shepherd-king
In the Old Testament, we can see that God is slowly preparing his people for the Messiah. He changes their expectation of a king to a “shepherd-king.”
David started out as a shepherd, but when he was to be made king, God continued to refer to him as a shepherd.
You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.
2 Samuel 5:2
David is even referred to as the “one shepherd,” foreshadowing the coming of Christ.
My servant David shall be king over them; and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall follow my ordinances and be careful to observe my statutes.
Ezekiel 37:24
Even the prophets called out other kings for not being shepherds.
Your shepherds are asleep, O king of Assyria; your nobles slumber. Your people are scattered on the mountains with none to gather them.
Nahum 3:18
Jesus as the Shepherd-King
The Psalms speak about God as the shepherd, looking forward to the arrival of Jesus.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1
Jesus himself repeatedly brought up this analogy, even calling himself the “Good Shepherd.“
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:11
Scripture clearly shows that Jesus is not like earthly kings, tyrannical and distant in their behavior. Instead, Jesus is the “shepherd-king,” who lays down his life for his flock, protecting it and guiding it to greener pasture.
And today we celebrate...