John 10:11-18: Jesus is the Good Shepherd

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I⁾lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I ay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

This is the best portrayal of Jesus' earthly ministry. Shepherding was a main-line profession in his day. He declares that he is the Good Shepherd which means that his simple flock come to him, because they recognize his voice. The Good Shepherd put the interests of others ahead of his own. Here, he puts the interests of Father-God ahead of his own and obeys him. Also, he takes the sheep of the House of Israel and tends to their needs. Finally, the other pen of sheep is a reference to the gentiles who he came into the world to save. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son so that whoever trusts in him will have eternal life.

Daily Prayer: Father, you have summoned me through the Good Shepherd. In the same way, I go into the world professing his gospel and sharing the good news of salvation found in him. Through me, draw those who are your own unto yourself so that they may find the new life and inherit the promises you have for each of them. In Jesus name I pray Amen.