Good Shepherd
"No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father." John 10:18
How do we know that this isn’t another thief climbing over to take us away to our doom? How do we know that this perfect life and sacrificial death of Jesus did the trick? Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is the only Good Shepherd, because He died, yes, but also because He had the power to rise again. He rose from the dead, assuring us of all these blessings! No one can ever do this except for Him. No thief or hireling has this power. The Good Shepherd does, and He was raised from the dead.
After the flock had seen that Jesus had died, He came back from His three-day journey to say, “Do not worry! I just had to make sure that you were safe and secure. I’m back now, and I’m not going anywhere.” And He hasn’t gone anywhere. He died and rose again for our salvation. He built the gate of the protected pasture with His cross and empty grave, and He now keeps us safe. He fights off the robbers and wolves, He doesn’t run away like a hired hand, and He knows us personally. He has gathered us into the kingdom of Heaven.
He has saved us eternally. He is the Good Shepherd.
He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.
He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
The Lutheran Hymnal 200:7&8