“I am the good shepherd“- John 10:11 Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He isn’t like the bad shepherds mentioned in Eze 34. He doesn’t fleece the flock. He feeds the flock. He doesn’t run when the wolves come. He stands His ground and runs off the wolves.
Jesus knows His sheep.
He knows us “in and out” and “out and in“. He knows us better than we know us.
And here’s the marvelous thing--Jesus loves us even though He does know us!
He loves us in spite of what He knows about us!
Jesus loves His sheep.
He loves us with a spiritual intimacy consummated by the cross. His love is a forever love. A committed love. A selfless love. And nothing can separate His sheep from that love.
Jesus protects His sheep. The wolves come around but Jesus guards His sheep from them. When the thieves and sheep rustlers try to steal the sheep, Jesus stands guard with His rod and staff. And should one stray, Jesus leaves the 99 to go find the one that is scattered.
Jesus died for His sheep.
He laid down His life for His flock. The Greek word for life used in John 10, means “soul”. Jesus didn’t just give His life, He gave His soul for us. He gave up His all to redeem His sheep.
The false shepherds use the sheep for their own selfish gain. Never would they die for the flock.
