Jesus, the Good Shepherd

Jesus, the Good Shepherd

“He who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. To him, the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.”  

John 10:2-3

Sheep just aren’t very bright. They need constant overseeing, tender treatment, and strict boundaries. The shepherd took them to the best pastures, found safe lodging for them during the night, and then led them out again in the mourning. He was the ultimate caregiver!

     In fact, the shepherd would stretch his own body out across the opening to the sheep pen. What a graphic picture of protection this provides as we consider that Christ considers Himself our shepherd.

     As the world screams out for us to follow every wind of doctrine, Christ’s voice calls us back to obedience:“When he puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice” (John 10:4).His voice will never call us to rebellion, sinful pleasures, or departure from His Word.

     In our day we hear those who those who defend heinous acts by saying, “Voices told me to do it.” Certainly, the one they chose to listen to was not the voice of Jesus Christ, for He cannot contradict Himself. True sheep listen only for the voice of their Shepherd.

     God calls us by name, just as the shepherd has pet names for his sheep. Someday, when the King of kings, our Good Shepherd, calls us home to heaven, we’ll hear the name He calls us.

YOU ARE FORGIVEN:“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)

YOU ARE CHOSEN: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

YOU ARE LOVED: “The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with am everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

Prayer: Lord, guide me to safe pastures today. Never leave me Lord. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.