Today's Readings - 2 Kings 11-12, John 10:1–21, Psalm 69:21–27, Proverbs 14:17-18
Devotional
John 10 describes Jesus as the Good Shepherd who takes care of his sheep, even laying down his life for them. He calls us by name and we follow him. He leads us to pastures where we can find the food we need and protects us from the thieves and predators who seek our destruction. He gives life to his sheep - eternal and abundant.
And it is a good thing, because we are sheep. When we are described as sheep in the Bible it ought never to be taken as a compliment. Sheep cannot survive without a shepherd and we cannot live without our Savior, Jesus Christ. Think about the conditions of sheep and why we need a shepherd.
Sheep are prey. Just about every predatory, carnivorous animal in the world loves the taste of mutton. If sheep were not watched over, they would quickly become lunch. This world is full of spiritual predators who would seek to deceive us, distract us, divert us and destroy us. False apostles and false teachers abound who seek to use the sheep for their own purposes. We need a shepherd. We need a Good Shepherd.
Sheep are wayward and not that bright. Sheep are not like other creatures. They do not have a great sense of danger or direction. They wander off into trouble when left to themselves. It is interesting that we are so prone to seek independence when, as sheep, that is the last thing we need. We require a shepherd to guide us and keep us from harm - a Good Shepherd.
Sheep are defenseless. Most animals have some sort of defense mechanism to protect themselves. Some can run fast to escape danger. Some have sharp claws to fight. Some have hard shells or quills or, like the skunk, the ability to make predators pay through the nose. Sheep have no such defenses. They are not fast, they cannot jump and bound away. They don't have hard shells or bad smells to protect them. They are helpless. We are helpless in this world without the help of our Savior and Lord, without defense against all those spiritual predators.
Sheep need a shepherd. We need a Good Shepherd. That's the bad news. The good news is that we have one - Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.
And it is a good thing, because we are sheep. When we are described as sheep in the Bible it ought never to be taken as a compliment. Sheep cannot survive without a shepherd and we cannot live without our Savior, Jesus Christ. Think about the conditions of sheep and why we need a shepherd.
Sheep are prey. Just about every predatory, carnivorous animal in the world loves the taste of mutton. If sheep were not watched over, they would quickly become lunch. This world is full of spiritual predators who would seek to deceive us, distract us, divert us and destroy us. False apostles and false teachers abound who seek to use the sheep for their own purposes. We need a shepherd. We need a Good Shepherd.
Sheep are wayward and not that bright. Sheep are not like other creatures. They do not have a great sense of danger or direction. They wander off into trouble when left to themselves. It is interesting that we are so prone to seek independence when, as sheep, that is the last thing we need. We require a shepherd to guide us and keep us from harm - a Good Shepherd.
Sheep are defenseless. Most animals have some sort of defense mechanism to protect themselves. Some can run fast to escape danger. Some have sharp claws to fight. Some have hard shells or quills or, like the skunk, the ability to make predators pay through the nose. Sheep have no such defenses. They are not fast, they cannot jump and bound away. They don't have hard shells or bad smells to protect them. They are helpless. We are helpless in this world without the help of our Savior and Lord, without defense against all those spiritual predators.
Sheep need a shepherd. We need a Good Shepherd. That's the bad news. The good news is that we have one - Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.
Father, thank you for my Good Shepherd who leads me to green pastures and calms me beside still waters. He protects me from the predators who would destroy me loves me enough to lay down his life for me. I need him, oh, I need him. Every hour I need him.
Think and Pray
Think about what it means for you to be a sheep and for Jesus to be your good shepherd. Consider your dependence on him.
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