This week’s “I am” statement is… I am the good shepherd.
This is found in John 10:11-18…
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 When the hired hand sees the wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away. That’s because he isn’t the shepherd; the sheep aren’t really his. So the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. 13 He’s only a hired hand and the sheep don’t matter to him.
14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own sheep and they know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. I give up my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that don’t belong to this sheep pen. I must lead them too. They will listen to my voice and there will be one flock, with one shepherd.
17 “This is why the Father loves me: I give up my life so that I can take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I give it up because I want to. I have the right to give it up, and I have the right to take it up again. I received this commandment from my Father.”
This is a continuation of Jesus’ sheep/shepherd metaphor. What stands out to me in this metaphor is how Jesus communicates the depth of his love.
As you read this passage, do you notice the different ways Jesus shows us his love?
I see four different ways; how many do you see?
Last week, the sheep/shepherd metaphor was intended to contrast the goodness of Jesus against the corruption of the Pharisees.
Jesus is still drawing out that comparison. What we see is the good shepherd loves the sheep, but false shepherds neglect the sheep.
Last week, it was heavily implied that Jesus was the good shepherd, but this week, Jesus casts away all doubt and tells us that he is indeed the good shepherd.
When was the last time you were reminded of God’s love?
When was the last time you really stopped to ponder the depth of God’s love?
Let’s talk about it on Sunday.
~ Pastor Dustin
