. I Am the Good Shepherd. John 10:11
Have you ever had bad guides in your life? Things or people who misdirected your paths? Have you had good guides in your life? A good guide is a person who shepherds. Let’s read John 10:11-39.
Do we know who our good shepherd is? The greek word for shepherd is poimen. It describes Christ as our Good shepherd. In order for us to remember and consider Christ as our Shepherd, it needs to be something that we cherish and find comfort in. In Matthew 9:36, 26:31, and 1 Peter 2:25, the early church remembered Jesus as the shepherd. They even applied old testament passages, such as Psalm 23:1, to picture Him as the Good Shepherd.
Let’s dig deeper into the word good. Good does not mean the opposite of bad. Kalos has a connotation of noble, honorable, and worthy. When we look at this, it doesn’t just mean that Jesus good, He is also captivating and deserves praise.
What does a shepherd, a good shepherd do? Read John 10:11. Jesus was willing to lay down his life for us, His sheep. He is the final atonement for our sins. He laid down his perfect, spotless life for your transgressions. Let’s soak up this truth. Let’s not let this truth become numb in our hearts but keep it alive as we go on our journey.
There were many, many rules to the sacrificial system. Have you ever read about it? It’s in Exodus and Leviticus. Maybe find some time and study it. Take your time with it. So many details. All the religious people knew them well. I love the simplicity of Jesus, even though it is still hard, I don’t think I would want the Old Testament ways.
Jesus knows his sheep and His sheep knows him. What does it mean to know? The Greek word for know is ginosko. It means ” to come to know, recognize, perceive”. This is heart knowledge. It is really knowing someone. Now there is another Greek word for “know”. It is eido. This is head knowledge. Jesus know each of HIs sheep by both eido and ginosko. Head and heart. What head knowledge do you know about God? What heart knowledge do you know about God?
What does the Good Shepherd give? He gives us eternal life. We cannot be snatched away. Jesus is our Good Shepherd and our sheep gate. Through Him, we have access to our heavenly Father. IF you are wandering on your own, let Jesus be your guide – your good Shepherd.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for sending us a good shepherd. One that loves us. One that leads us. One that provides for us and protects us. The one and the only way to you. I pray that we allow Jesus to be our good shepherd in our lives and that we will know him in both head and heart.
In Jesus Name
Amen
