“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:11, 12a, 14-16
The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. …
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—
and I lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen.
I must bring them also.
They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power and he rules with a mighty arm.
Isaiah 40:10-11
See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees in his discourse in John 10. They would have been very familiar with the prophecies of a “Good Shepherd” – especially from Ezekiel and Isaiah’s writing. For that reason, they wanted to stone Jesus! Why? Because when Jesus identified Himself as the Good Shepherd, He also identified Himself as the Messiah, God’s annointed one!
Quick research tells me how totally defenseless sheep are. They aren’t very smart animals and can easily be in danger. Rain, snow, blazing heat, dust storms – all of these can harm sheep. They are easy prey for wolves, lions, and bears. Sheep require constant care! In ancient days, the sheep were often cared for by hired hands and those shepherds were expected to care for the sheep as if they were their own. But that meant putting themselves in danger for the sheep – not always something they were willing to do.
Not so, the Good Shepherd! Look at the good news of Christ being our Good Shepherd!
- God, the Father, gave us, the sheep, to Jesus.
- The Shepherd calls His sheep by name.
- Jesus know the sheep, know us, completely, and still loves us.
- He owns the sheep – he’s not a hired hand.
- The Good Shepherd leads His sheep to good pasture.
- Jesus lays down His life for His sheep to save them.
- No one can snatch the sheep out of the Shepherd’s hand.
- He gives His sheep eternal life.
And as sheep we know our Shepherd! We listen to Him. We come when we are called by name. We follow our Shepherd because we know His voice. We are safe in our Shepherd’s care!
Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.We are Thine, do Thou befriend us,
Be the guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray.Thou hast promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse, and pow’r to free:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee.Early let us seek Thy favor,
Dorothy Ann Thrupp, 1836
Early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With Thy love our bosoms fill:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
As you pray today, thank Jesus for being your Shepherd, for guiding you, protecting you, nurturing you! And ask Him to help you follow well, to listen intently to His voice, and walk in His footsteps.
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