Good Shepherd
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” John 10:10-11
Jesus says of Himself very emphatically that He is the good Shepherd. He says, “I am the Good Shepherd,” the one and only. He is the only way to salvation. He says, “I am the Good Shepherd.” He is pure in everything that He does. He is skilled, loving, and is known as the beautiful Savior and His craft reflects it. He says, “I am the Good Shepherd.” Unlike the hired hand, He doesn’t run away from danger. He lays down His life for the Sheep! On His behalf do the sheep benefit.
We, like sheep, are not very bright. We would be taken down by wolves if it were up to us. If our faith is put in the hands of worldly philosophers, mere hired hands, then, when times get tough, we would be scattered and destroyed, but Jesus doesn’t run from robbers and wolves. He gets us through every hardship. He lays down His life for us. Jesus puts Himself in between us and the dangers of the world. He went to the cross to destroy those who would try to destroy the flock, namely the devil and his evil forces. The Shepherd, Jesus Christ, is Good. Your Good Shepherd will never run from you. He will be with you even during the wolf attacks of life. When hope seems lost, when loved ones die, when betrayal from friends come, when times are tough and we are vulnerable, Jesus is there to assure us that He has given us safety. By Him do we have peace and hope for joy and life eternal.
In Your promise firm we stand;
None can take us from Your hand.
Speak! We hear! At Your command,
We will follow you.
Worship Supplement 783:2