“For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls ” (1 Peter 2:25).
In writing to Christians who have been subject to the great Dispersion from Jerusalem, Peter has not hesitated to jump immediately into the subject of the wonderful opportunity Jesus has made possible because of His sacrifice. Both Jews and Gentiles are included in this group.
The persecutions these people have endured is no indication that God does not care.
In fact, Peter wants them to realize just how much God cares about all of His children, and He desires that all be saved—that was God’s purpose in sending Jesus as the Savior.
All of these Christians, at one point, were a part of wandering, lost humanity before they obeyed Jesus; however, they found Jesus and accepted Him as their “Shepherd” and their “Overseer”; that is, He became their Protector and Guide, watching over them as a shepherd over the flock.
Peter uses this figure of speech to depict the relationship between Jesus and all who follow Him in every generation. Jesus guides, protects, and watches over His subjects, desiring that they follow His teaching and remain faithful until the end.
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