Verse: John 10:11-16
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
Devotion
This passage is comforting to me. It is a powerful truth that Jesus expresses here. He is the shepherd of my soul. He is the shepherd of my life. Think about all the promises in this little passage.
He promises to be good to you. He is the "good shepherd." He is full of goodness towards you, has good plans for you, and moves in good ways in your life. You can trust his goodness. He is not manipulative, he does not have ulterior motives, and he is not trying to use you. How does it encourage you to know that he is good for you.
He promises to lay down his life for you. He led by example in how to love: by laying down his life. His sacrifice communicates your value to him. Think about that! You are of infinite value to him! And he continues to sacrificially love you. Where in your life do you need to know that you are worth more than you know?
He promises to protect you. While others may abandon you, God never will. He will stand with you through it all. Even when the attacks of life come, the good shepherd doesn't run. He stays and protects. What are you going through in life that you could use his protection in?
Lastly, he promises to be known by you. Think about that! "I know my sheep and my sheep know me." It is unbelievable and indescribable that the God of creation allows us to know him. That he invites us to have relationship with him. How does that encourage you this morning that Jesus wants to have a deep relationship with you?
Take these promises and let them resonate with you this morning. As you look forward to the day, realize that you are not alone. Your good shepherd walks with you!