I Am the Good Shepherd

In literature, when a phrase is repeated at the beginning and end of a section, it’s called an inclusion. In John 10:11-15 we see, “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (v. 11) Verse 15 continues, “I lay down my life for the sheep.” This is a repeated phrase, and it’s an interesting picture of a shepherd. In I Samuel 17:34-36, David tells us about killing the lion and the bear who attacked his sheep.

In our text today, instead of saying the good shepherd defends the sheep against the wolf, the text says that Jesus is offering Himself in place of the sheep. The good shepherd is one who is willing to sacrifice His life. The Bible is full of references to sheep and shepherds. In Psalm 23, David says, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

In Matthew we see the words, “When Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)

In John 10, Jesus declared His love and concern for human “sheep.” Verse 11 says, “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” This text tells us about Jesus’ compassion and His response to their needs. Ultimately, this text tells the people about His sacrifice on their behalf and on our behalf!

“The Lord is my shepherd” is far more than a clever slogan. It is a statement of what it means to be known and loved by God – and what it means to be rescued by His Son.

Prayer – Father, we realize what a great gift our Shepherd is to us. Help us to respond to the Shepherd’s voice and draw near to You. Amen.

John 10:11 – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
Images: Yoksel Zok, Biegun Wschodni, Bill Fairs & Greg Rosenke/Unsplash