How to Be Free From Regret

It’s easy to miss the depth of certain biblical metaphors because our lives look so different from the world in which they were written. Most of us aren’t shepherds. We don’t lead sheep across pastures, defend them from predators, or call them by name. We live surrounded by traffic, screens, and social demands. But that doesn’t mean the image of the “Good Shepherd” is irrelevant.

When Jesus says in John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” He is giving us one of the clearest pictures of His character and mission. He is not presenting a job description or offering a theological idea to ponder. He is making a deeply personal statement. One that reveals His willingness to protect, pursue, and ultimately sacrifice for those He loves.

Why ‘Good’ Means More Than Nice
In modern language, the word "good" often feels watered down. We say things like, “That meal was good,” or “It was a good day,” meaning it met expectations or was slightly better than average. But the word Jesus uses carries far more weight. It echoes the Hebrew word tov, used throughout the Old Testament to describe what is excellent, whole, and morally right.
To call Jesus the Good Shepherd is to say He is the excellent Shepherd. He is perfectly competent, completely trustworthy, and morally flawless in how He cares for us. This isn’t a hired hand doing a job. This is the Savior embodying God’s heart.

We see this deeper definition reflected in the Old Testament, especially in places like Psalm 23, which begins with the comforting line, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” The image of God as shepherd is repeated in Psalm 80, Isaiah 40, and other passages where God is called the Shepherd of Israel, the One who gathers, protects, and saves His people.

The Shepherd Who Doesn’t Run
Jesus makes an important comparison in John 10:12-13. He talks about the hired hand, someone paid to look after the sheep but who has no real attachment to them. When danger appears, the hired hand runs. He doesn’t risk his life because the sheep don’t belong to him. He sees the wolf and flees, leaving the sheep vulnerable.

In contrast, the good Shepherd lays down His life. He stays. He defends. He dies. That’s the difference. One is in it for the paycheck. The other is in it for love.

This is not just poetic language. It is the foundation of our faith. Jesus wasn’t killed because of a failed mission. He willingly laid down His life because that was the mission. He came to do what only He could do: take our place, bear our sin, and rise again to bring us new life.

When the Shepherd Became a Lamb
Here is one of the most striking aspects of the gospel: the Shepherd didn’t just guard the sheep. He became one. In Hebrews 9:11-15, we see how Jesus entered a greater and more perfect tabernacle. He did not offer the blood of animals but His own. This was not just a symbolic act. It was a final, eternal redemption.

The sacrificial system of the Old Testament involved repeated offerings of animals to atone for sin. But those sacrifices pointed forward to something greater. Jesus, as both High Priest and perfect Lamb, offered Himself to purify not just our behavior but our very conscience. He didn’t just cover sin. He cleansed us from the inside out.

This is not distant theology. It speaks to the most personal parts of our lives. Guilt. Regret. Shame. These are things many people carry quietly, even after becoming followers of Christ. And yet, Jesus' sacrifice offers more than forgiveness. It offers restoration. It offers peace of mind and freedom from the weight of past mistakes.

Your Conscience Can Be Clean Again
Have you ever walked into a room with the weight of guilt on your back? Have you replayed past decisions, wishing you could go back and choose differently? Many of us have. And many of us assume we just have to live with that feeling.

But Scripture says otherwise. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). That’s not a theoretical promise. That’s an invitation to come clean and be made new.

You might be one heartfelt prayer away from peace. You might be one honest moment away from clarity. God is not reluctant. He is ready. The Good Shepherd who laid down His life for you is still offering grace. Whether you’ve wandered far or simply feel spiritually stuck, the same mercy is still available.

What If You’ve Never Known This Shepherd?
Maybe you’re reading this and you’re not sure where you stand with Jesus. Maybe you’ve always thought of Christianity as a religion rather than a relationship. If that’s you, let me say this plainly: the good Shepherd sees you. He knows the shame you carry. He knows the fears you rarely say out loud. And He still wants you.

He laid down His life knowing that you might not accept Him. But He did it anyway. That is love. That is grace. And it is available to anyone who calls on His name.

To receive Him is not about achieving some level of spiritual maturity. It’s about surrendering. It’s about recognizing that you need what only He can offer—forgiveness, peace, and eternal hope.

This Shepherd Is Still Saving
The image of Jesus as the good Shepherd is not just an ancient metaphor. It is a living truth. It tells us who He is and how He relates to us today. He is not the one who flees when life gets hard. He is not shocked by your story. He is not keeping a scorecard.

Instead, He calls you by name. He leads you beside still waters. He restores your soul. And He did the unthinkable. He became the Lamb. He took the punishment you deserved so that you could walk in freedom.

You are not beyond His reach. You are not too broken to be healed. The good Shepherd laid down His life so that you could rise with Him. Will you answer His call?


This blog is based on the message shared by senior pastor Dr. Roger Patterson at our Cityrise West U Baptist campus on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Check out the full message below!