May 18
John 10:1-21
When you think of God what comes to mind? You may think of him as Father, Savior, Triune, or any of the other aspects of his character, but one of the most common images for God in the Bible is that of a shepherd. John 10 helps to develop exactly what it means for Jesus to be our shepherd. When Jesus calls himself the good shepherd, he is inserting himself into the slot which God takes in places like Psalm 23 and Psalm 80. This description is an allusion to the divinity of Jesus and to his character. As the “good shepherd,” Jesus is willing to sacrifice himself for his sheep. Though a good shepherd was willing to put himself between harm and his sheep, it would be foolish for them to sacrifice themselves for an animal. As much as you might love your pets, your life is more valuable than theirs. Yet Jesus in true love and humility is willing to do that very thing for us. He is willing to stand between death and judgment, and us. He knows our flaws, sins, shortcomings, and failures—loves us all the same.
As sheep our response should be to know our shepherd and obey his voice. Christ sacrificed himself for us, which means we need to heed his voice by listening and obeying. What a small response for such a great sacrifice. We are to hear his voice and respond by coming to him for salvation and life. Let us listen and obey well.
Father God, thank you that you, your Son, and the Spirit all shepherd me. Let me hear your voices and obey what you are calling me to do. Help me to listen and obey. Amen.
How should remembering God is your “good shepherd” impact the way you relate to him and his commands?
When you think of God what comes to mind? You may think of him as Father, Savior, Triune, or any of the other aspects of his character, but one of the most common images for God in the Bible is that of a shepherd. John 10 helps to develop exactly what it means for Jesus to be our shepherd. When Jesus calls himself the good shepherd, he is inserting himself into the slot which God takes in places like Psalm 23 and Psalm 80. This description is an allusion to the divinity of Jesus and to his character. As the “good shepherd,” Jesus is willing to sacrifice himself for his sheep. Though a good shepherd was willing to put himself between harm and his sheep, it would be foolish for them to sacrifice themselves for an animal. As much as you might love your pets, your life is more valuable than theirs. Yet Jesus in true love and humility is willing to do that very thing for us. He is willing to stand between death and judgment, and us. He knows our flaws, sins, shortcomings, and failures—loves us all the same.
As sheep our response should be to know our shepherd and obey his voice. Christ sacrificed himself for us, which means we need to heed his voice by listening and obeying. What a small response for such a great sacrifice. We are to hear his voice and respond by coming to him for salvation and life. Let us listen and obey well.
Father God, thank you that you, your Son, and the Spirit all shepherd me. Let me hear your voices and obey what you are calling me to do. Help me to listen and obey. Amen.
How should remembering God is your “good shepherd” impact the way you relate to him and his commands?
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1 Comment
We should always relate to God with reverence and obedience but just as importantly, we should relate to God with joy because he is our good Shepherd. He provides the light and the path in an otherwise dark world. He frees us from the fear and anxiety that comes from struggling to find our own way. If you are struggling with the burden of your own desires and choices, simply hand them over to God and allow him to give you freedom from your self.