THE SHEEP AND THE SHEPHERD
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Opening Prayer
Thank you for giving me everything I love and have, Father. Help me to express my gratitude in ways that draw others to you, in ways that bring you glory.
Read JOHN 10:11–21
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 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. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
19 The Jews who heard these words were again divided. 20 Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?”
21 But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What difference does the fact that Jesus is our ‘good shepherd’ make to your life?Jesus is the ‘gate’ offering protection and freedom and the chance to live life ‘to the full’ (v. 10). However, it doesn’t stop there! In Jesus’ time the roles of shepherd and gate were often blurred. The shepherd would double-up as the gate, often sleeping across the entrance of the sheep pen. In the same way, Jesus adopts both roles: gate and shepherd.
While gates and sheep are at least familiar parts of modern life, for most of us, shepherds are not. A shepherd may conjure images of long beards, long staffs, and long days in the fields, but Jesus takes an everyday job of his time and applies it to himself, giving a clear promise to his followers.
Jesus says there is a key difference between him and the ‘hired hands’ (v. 12) who may be placed in charge. Such men may not be authentic in their care, leaving at the first sign of danger. Jesus, on the other hand, ‘lays down his life for the sheep’ (v. 11), and gives a profound promise of intimacy and closeness to his followers. This shepherd really cares for his sheep. Just as sheep recognize the specific voice of their shepherd (vv. 16, 27), so can the followers of Jesus hear and recognize his voice. We too may ‘know’ (v. 14) the Good Shepherd. What a promise!
Apply
Spend time today listening to the voice of the ‘Good Shepherd’ and thanking him afresh for his wonderful care for you.
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, I lift up those in my family, those among my friends and community, who do not know Jesus—who don’t know his love, hear his voice, or experience his care. I pray for those whose nations keep them from him, and I pray for those who have never even heard his name. Please move in a mighty way to bring many into the Good Shepherd’s fold.
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