Shepherd

 John 10:11 ESV

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 


This is a familiar phrase, but the danger is that familiarity may breed contempt. Like a sheep that strays from the shepherd, so we may stray from a pure, unadulterated devotion to our Lord.

At first glance, this is a very humble statement. Shepherding is a hard, smelly, despised kind of job. Yet Jesus isn't ashamed to shepherd smelly, silly sheep like us. 

With some Bible knowledge, we will appreciate the magnitude of what Jesus is claiming. 'The Lord is my Shepherd', stated King David famously in Psalm 23. Jesus claimed here to be none other than God himself, the Lord in the flesh.

Of course, Jesus wasn't some empty braggart claiming to lay down his life for his flock. We know he literally was crucified by the Romans, by the will of God, for the sins of the world. He was prophesying of his death.

'Good Shepherd of our souls, we praise you for giving your life for us. May we likewise live for you, now and forevermore, amen'.

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