Work of Christ
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11
So much can be said about the care for sheep, their needs and their weaknesses. Stubborn, mindless, seemingly low intelligence, weak, largely dependent, sheep have ascribed to them many adjectives that, if used to describe a human being, would be considered very rude. None of us wants to be called any of these things, for we naturally want glory, not shame. But, as sinners, can’t the sheep description describe us? Most certainly . . . And as sheep, we need a lot of help.
A careless Bedouin shepherd once left his sheep alone near a sheer cliff. They all fell off the cliff. About the first half fell to their death, and the second half was cushioned by the wool of the deceased. If left to ourselves to make it to heaven and atone for our sin, we’d be falling off a cliff to our deaths, too. We need a Shepherd who is not careless. We have a caring Shepherd in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Jesus matches the shepherd description in so many ways. He feeds you by leading you to the Gospel in Word and Sacrament. He knows what is dangerous for you, sometimes using gentleness to lead you away, and other times allowing hardship to happen in order for your faith and understanding to grow. He protects you from sin, the world, and the devil. He knows you all by name and knows each of your voices. When He hears our bleating prayers, He knows exactly how to answer. We have come to know His voice, too: His Word!
The Good Shepherd Jesus has laid down His life for us, His Sheep. He has taken His life back up again, showing us that we have the most dependable Shepherd ever, one who will never leave us, nor forsake us.
I am Jesus’ little lamb, ever glad at heart I am;
For my Shepherd gently guides me, knows my need, and well provides me,
Loves me every day the same, even calls me by my name.
The Lutheran Hymnal 648:1