JOHN 10:11

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

TO PONDER

This image of shepherds is all throughout the Bible. Abraham started out as a nomadic herder. King David started out taking care of his father's sheep - and the Bible refers to him as 'a man after God's own heart' (1 Sam 13:14). The priests of the Old Testament were often referred to as shepherds of God's people (although often accused of being bad or false shepherds) and of course here we have Jesus the good shepherd, the one who lays down his life for the sheep.

Of course with modern farming techniques and good fencing, people don't keep sheep the same way they did back in Bible times. Not many farmers are going to put their life on the line for a sheep. It got me thinking, what would the equivalent kind of profession be in today's world? I came up with emergency service worker.

Every day these people go to work, they put themselves in dangerous situations in order to bring help and to try and preserve the lives of others and as we approach that time of year in Australia where we are more likely to see both bushfires, floods, and cyclones, many of us will recall the stories of Fire fighters, SES rescue workers, Ambulance officers, and Police officers who have been seriously injured or lost their lives in an effort to protect or preserve the lives and property of others.

That's the kind of thing Jesus was explaining that he would do (and did do) for us. He gave his life on the cross so that we might be delivered from an eternity without him.

But it didn't end there. Jesus also told his disciples to, 'Take up you cross and follow me', and also 'As the Father has sent me, now I am sending you'. Jesus calls his sheep to follow him, that means that there are times we may be asked to lay our own needs and desires aside in order to meet the needs of others, and to trust that in the mean time, Jesus, our good shepherd, will take care of all our needs also.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, my Good Shepherd. Thank you that you have called me into your flock and that as one of your sheep, I am able to know you and hear your voice and to be known and loved by you. Help me also to be prepared to lay aside my own agendas, desires and plans, in order to serve and guard those who are not yet part of your flock and to help lead them into the safety of your sheep pen. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.