Introduction

Good morning, family! Today, we're going to dive into a beautiful passage from the Gospel of John, where Jesus describes Himself as our Good Shepherd.

Let's read from 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 and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

Let's pray:

Oh Lord, our Good Shepherd, we come before you today humbled and grateful. We thank You for Your unending love, for Your willingness to lay down Your life for us, Your sheep. We ask that as we dig into Your word today, You would open our hearts and minds to understand more deeply what it means to be under Your care, to be kept and saved by You. We love You and we thank You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Jesus, Our Good Shepherd

In this passage, Jesus makes a profound declaration: He is the Good Shepherd. This is not just a title or a metaphor, but a profound revelation of His character, His mission, and His relationship with us.

The image of a shepherd is rich with meaning, especially in the cultural context of the time when Jesus spoke these words. In the ancient Near East, shepherding was a common occupation, and the people would have been very familiar with the role of a shepherd. A shepherd was responsible for the care, protection, and guidance of the sheep. This included providing for their needs, protecting them from danger, and leading them to places of safety and nourishment.

When Jesus declares Himself as the Good Shepherd, He is saying that He is our provider, protector, and guide. He is the one who meets our needs, who shields us from harm, and who leads us in the paths of righteousness. But Jesus goes even further than this. Unlike a hired hand who runs away at the first sign of danger, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lays down His life for the sheep. This is a profound expression of sacrificial love. Jesus is not just willing to risk His life for us; He is willing to give His life for us. This is the ultimate demonstration of His love and commitment to us.

Moreover, Jesus, as our Good Shepherd, knows us intimately. He says, "I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father." This speaks of a deep, personal relationship. Jesus knows us by name, He knows our needs, our fears, our struggles, and our dreams. And He invites us to know Him in the same way. This is not a distant, impersonal relationship, but a close, intimate, personal relationship.

Furthermore, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is inclusive. He says, "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also." Jesus' flock is not limited to a particular group or tribe. His flock includes all who would listen to His voice and follow Him. This speaks of Jesus' universal mission to bring salvation to all people, regardless of their race, culture, or background.

Finally, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has authority. He says, "I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again." Jesus is not a victim of circumstances, but the sovereign Lord who willingly lays down His life and takes it up again. This speaks of His divine authority and power, and assures us that we are in safe hands.

His Power to Save and Keep Us

Firstly, Jesus' power to save us is vividly portrayed through His willingness to lay down His life for His sheep ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO