Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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The Lord is my shepherd
John.10:11-18

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away”.(V.11,12)

One of the most important imagery in the Bible to explain God's love and care towards His people is the imagery of the good shepherd. In today's passage Jesus proclaimed that He is the good shepherd; He assumed the role and character of a shepherd. The role of a shepherd is critical and adventurous. A good shepherd is ready with a moment’s notice to defend his flock against the wild beasts and the robbers. A faithful shepherd takes his life in his hands to defend his flock.

A hired hand works with a flock of sheep yet feels no love or devotion to the sheep because the hired hand does not have a personal interest in the sheep as they do not belong to him. However, Jesus describes himself as the ‘good shepherd’ who cares for the sheep, so much so that He willingly lays down His life for His sheep.

Whether there are multiple sheep or a single sheep they are still called sheep. In the same way there is no such thing as a singular Christian. We are all part of one body.  Therefore as believer we need to be an example to those around us and God gives us the perfect example for us to follow in his son Jesus.

How deep is the Father loves is for us that despite the many time we’ve rejected him and try to assert our own will in our lives, He is still there guiding us. As the good shepherd He is there to fend off the wolves that come into our lives.

Prayer: Father, we thank you for being the Shepherd that searches after the one lost sheep. Remind us to depend on your faithfulness to fight our battles. Amen
Thought for the day: “Jesus our good shepherd knows all that are His, guard them by His providence, guides them by His Spirit and word and goes before them as the shepherds went before their sheep, to set them in the way of His steps ”.(Matthew Henry)  
Jason Thomas, Epiphany  MTC, New York


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