Monday, September 9, 2024
Good Shepherd
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11
Please read and/or listen to John 7:37-52; and 8:12-10:21 today. This week as we consider John 10:11-21 we remember the context being the last day of the feast of booths. This day has included Jesus’ declaration that he is the light of the world and his healing of the blind man. It has included the confrontation with the religious leaders that caused them to want to stone him. It then led to his declaration that he was the door of the sheepfold and that all who entered through him would have life. Now he declares that he is the good shepherd. We remember that each of these “I AM” statements are emphatically stating that he is God. For many, reading this chapter caused them to think of Psalm 23 where David articulates what it means to have the Lord as his shepherd. The Jews would have been very familiar with what Jesus was saying. God was the shepherd of the nation of Israel. It was he who cared for them and it was he who was their King—even though they rejected him (1 Sa 8:7). Jacob, as he came near the end of his life, stated clearly that God had been his shepherd all his life (Ge 48:15). When Jesus said that he was the good shepherd, he was stating that he was God and the King of the Jews. As we begin this week of considering this very well-known theme ask God to speak to your heart in a new way about what it means that Jesus is the good shepherd. Are there any ways in which you have rejected him?
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Good Shepherd
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11
Please read and/or listen to John 10:1-21 today. In the Bible we see that God raises up leaders to shepherd his people (Ps 78:70-72). This includes leaders that are not his followers (Is 44:28). At the time Jesus is speaking with the religious leaders all who were listening would have known that those religious leaders were shepherds. They were, as leaders, to be caring for the sheep. They were not. In fact, Jesus will state that not only are they not good shepherds, but they were also in fact not shepherds at all (Jn 10:12). Jesus is the good shepherd God promised for his people (Je 23:5-6; Ez 34:11ff). In the original language this reads “I am the shepherd good” or “shepherd the good one” the Greek word for good here is kalos. This word for good is very rich in Scripture. Thayer Greek Definitions describes it this way: “beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable”. This is what a shepherd is to be. In many ways, this is who David was as he shepherded the people of God, but it is only Jesus who is the true good shepherd. Who are you allowing to shepherd you? Is it the good shepherd that you are following?
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Own
He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep John 10:12
You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Please read and/or listen to John 1-:1-21 again today. There is a significant difference between the religious leaders and Jesus. They are not shepherds; he is the shepherd. They do not own the sheep; he owns the sheep. They are his. They are the sheep of his pasture (Ps 100:3). Remember Jesus is speaking of those sheep who are in his flock that have come from the sheepfold of Israel (Jn 10:3). These hirelings are wolves, thieves, and robbers. They are strangers to the sheep. They are using the flock for their own advantage and have set in place rules and regulations that will require the sheep to be tied to them. They have stolen the sheep—or at least are attempting to do so. When the threat comes, they will flee because they really do not care for the sheep at all. They are blind guides who can in no way lead the sheep to God because they do not know the way to God themselves. They did not enter through the door. False teachers are the same. They try and steal what Jesus owns. If you have come to a genuine salvation in your life and if you are truly a follower of Jesus, then you have been bought with a price and you are not your own. The price paid for your life is the life of Jesus. He owns you. Nothing could be better! There is nothing better than to be owned by the good shepherd. He cares for you in a way no one else can or does. He has a love for you that is amazing. He is your beautiful Savior. The voices of hirelings who are not shepherds at all should cause you to flee so that you do not move away from the care of the only Shepherd who truly owns you. He will keep you from all evil. Really pray about this today. Ask God to reveal to you any ways in which you are not allowing him to lead you. Are you rebelling against his ownership? Consider Psalm 23 as you close out this day. Pray it and let it wash over you. Realize all it means that the Lord is your shepherd and you are his—the sheep of his pasture!
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Known
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15
Please read John 10:14-15 today. Again, Jesus says he is the good shepherd. Not only does he own the sheep he knows the sheep. Not only do the sheep know the shepherd they are known by the shepherd. Notice carefully the way Jesus knows the sheep. He knows his sheep just as the Father knows him. This would have been revolutionary for his audience. The “shepherds” they were used to were oppressive and certainly not interested in relationship or intimacy. The blind man healed in John 9 was certainly aware of that. They led by fear. People feared they would be cast away from being able to worship God. Jesus makes it clear that God’s desire is for relationship with his sheep. He desires them to be with him (Jn 17:24). Pause here and ponder that. If you are a follower of Jesus, he knows you just as the Father knows him. This is true intimacy. It is the intimacy that your soul craves because it is inherent in your design. Not only is it possible for you to know Jesus (not just know about him), but it is also possible for you to be known by him. Only those known by him will be with him for eternity (Mt 7:23). There are plenty of people who talk about God and talk about Jesus who do not truly know him and are not truly known by him—even those who claim to be Christians. There is a danger for those who are not genuine followers of Jesus—they are not known by him, and he will not allow them to be with them for eternity. Do you truly know Jesus? Are you confident that you are known by him? If you are, take time to praise him today and bask in the intimacy of the relationship you have with him. Rest in his care and love. If you are not, take time today to release your grip on your autonomy. Repent. Turn to him. Exchange your life of sin for his life of righteousness and ask that you could know him fully even as you long to be fully known by him.
Friday, September 13, 2024
For
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15
Please read and/or listen to John 10:11-21 today. Notice how many times Jesus says he will lay down his life. While the hirelings were interested in stealing from the sheep and devouring the sheep, they ran whenever the sheep were in danger. There was no sacrificial thought in the minds of the pretender shepherds that Jesus was talking to. They were not interested in the welfare of the sheep. They were interested in their own position. That is part of what fueled their hatred of Jesus. He threatened their status—with the people and with Rome. It was part of why they wanted him dead. They had already tried to stone him, and they were actively seeking ways to put him to death. Jesus makes it clear that he will indeed die but it will be because he willingly lays down his life for the sheep. He will die so they do not have to. He will die in their place. This is a substitutionary atonement declared clearly for us. Sin demands that a price be paid. That price is death. Jesus lays down his life for his sheep. He dies to pay the price—atonement. The intimate relationship between the Father and the Son allows the Son to lovingly and willingly obey the Father and in so doing choose to lay down his life of his own accord. He will die for his sheep. But he will also take his life back up again! In so doing, sin and death will be conquered for all who will believe and follow him. His sheep will hear his voice and will respond and will be saved. The Creator dies for the created and the Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. Have you responded to the voice of the shepherd? Have you realized that your sin has separated you from God and has earned you death? Have you turned to follow Jesus? If so, take time today to truly thank Jesus for the sacrifice that has brought you life!
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Divided
There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” John 10:19-21
There are so many voices calling out to people. It is the same today as it was when Jesus was talking to the Jews. As he finished, they had an opportunity to respond. This division is a division that remains. Who is Jesus to you? The false shepherds had confused the sheep enough that they did not know what to think. That is Satan’s ploy and plan. Twist truth. Speak half-truths. Fuel doubt. Declare lies with great passion. What do you believe about Jesus? As he spoke it caused people to wrestle with what they believe is true. What Jesus said and what he did either caused people to believe he was demon possessed or it caused them to doubt that he could be. Satan and the world are not interested in people knowing the truth about Jesus. Perhaps you have been deceived and are believing sound bites of doubt. Jesus is the good shepherd. His call has extended beyond the sheepfold of the Jews to the sheepfold of the Gentiles. He has one flock from the sheepfolds. Those who are not part of his flock are not known by him. May you hear his voice and follow him.