The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 16 March 2022 – Jesus Christ, The Good Shepherd
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TOPIC: Jesus Christ, The Good Shepherd
READ: John 10:11-21 (NKJV)
- “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
- “But a hireling, [he who is] not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.
- “The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.
- “I am the good shepherd; and I know My [sheep,] and am known by My own.
- “As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
- “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock [and] one shepherd.
- “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.
- “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
- Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings.
- And many of them said, “He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?”
- Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
THE MESSAGE:
In John’s Gospel account, John often describes Jesus with metaphorical terms in order to drive home his point about the divinity of Jesus. Here in chapter 10, Jesus is described as the Good Shepherd (cf. Psalm 23).
This metaphor simply describes Jesus as one who is ready to protect, provide and guide his sheep. John states, “The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep” (verse 11). The good shepherd protects his sheep from all kinds of predators, unlike the hireling who would leave the sheep and run for his life. The Good Shepherd also calls other sheep that have gone astray into the fold in order for them to be united as one flock with one shepherd.
Every committed Christian is a leader and a shepherd, and thus has the responsibility to care for all. In this era though, we often encounter leaders who would rather lord it over the flock and consume them rather than care for them. As we step out today, let us be assured we are under the watchful care of Jesus – the Good Shepherd – who will never leave nor forsake us. On our own part, we have the responsibility to care for members of our family, Church and society at large.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your constant love and care for us. Please give us the right attitude for the care and responsibilities of those entrusted to us.
