My Shepherd
John 10:11 (ESV) I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
These two "I am" statements of Christ beautifully depict the nature of His love for us. They also reveal what God is truly like.
First, being the "door" and the "Shepherd" could mean the same thing. For a shepherd would lay down at the entrance of a sheep pen to keep watch over his sheep at night. Jesus certainly laid it down for us, allowing Himself to be nailed to a cross on which he was laid. He's the one who stops the thief then from coming in and us from wandering out.
Second, He is the good shepherd that puts his life out there in exchange for sheep. I think of David's 23rd Psalm who said, "The Lord is my shepherd." David was a shepherd who understood the sacrifice of caring for his father's sheep. He put his life on the line on more than one occasion saving the sheep from a bear and a lion (see 1 Samuel 17). No wonder God said David was a man after His own heart. What shepherd is willing to die for a sheep?
God is.
Notice how later in the chapter during the same conversation Jesus says, "I and the Father are one.” John 10:30 (ESV).
It is clear that John is painting a picture not simply of Jesus but a picture of God. God is for us! God is willing to die for us. And if you want to know in the truest way what the God of heaven and Earth is like, it is this - He yields His life to save us from death.
Wow.
Think of that the next time you sin. Sin kills and destroys you. God saves you from it.
Think of that the next time someone despises you. God's love for you is greater than their hatred and animosity.
Think of that the next time you idolize some - one - thing - place - job - ideal... NOTHING in all Creation is as beautiful and fulfilling as the love God has for you.
John 10:27–28 (ESV) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
I love the subject and object of these sentences. For we are not the subject of our salvation. We are the object of God's salvation in Jesus. We trust HIM to bring us into the fold, we trust Him to keep us in the fold. The sooner we can stop being the subject of our own salvation, the sooner we can get find the freedom of being loved and looked after by a God willing to lay down His life to save us from death.
PRAYER:
Father thank you for Jesus. Thank you that He gave His life for me and saved me. Thank you for choosing to make yourself known to me. I rejoice in the life You give by grace. Amen.
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