At the same time as Church historian Philip Schaff (1819-1893) was writing his 8-volume history of the Church, the Roman catacombs were being discovered. Schaff had this to say about symbols Christians used to adorn their tombs:
Roman Catholic cemeteries are easily recognized by crosses, crucifixes and reference to purgatory and prayers for the dead; Protestant cemeteries by the frequency of Scripture passages in the epitaphs, and expressions of hope and joy in prospect of the immediate transition of the pious dead to the presence of Christ.
The catacombs have a character of their own, which distinguishes them from Roman Catholic as well as Protestant cemeteries. Their most characteristic symbols and pictures are the Good Shepherd, the Fish, and the Vine.
These symbols almost wholly disappeared after the fourth century, but to the mind of the early Christians they vividly expressed, in childlike simplicity, what is essential to Christians of all creeds, the idea of Christ and his salvation, as the only comfort in life and in death. The Shepherd, whether from the Sabine or the Galilean hills, suggested the recovery of the lost sheep, the tender care and protection, the green pasture and fresh fountain, the sacrifice of life: in a word, the whole picture of a Saviour.
Jesus often used very simple images to talk about himself. We know what it's like to be hungry, thirsty, scared in the dark, lost, or tired. Jesus knows this too, and uses those images to help us see that he is the answer to the deepest problems we face. Here are some of the times Jesus used such simple images to talk about himself:
'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.' John 6:35
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6"
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
