Daily Devotions
Today’s Reading: John 10:11-21 & Psalm 100
“I am the Good Shepherd.” John 10:11
Why Good Shepherd? Because He saves.
He lays down His life for the sheep. See Him in Gethsemane stepping forward: “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth.” I am He …If you are looking for Me, then let these men go” (see John 18:4-5, 8). Then follow Him to Calvary. There hear the victory cry from the lips of our Good Shepherd: It is finished! (John 19:30). Salvation is ours!
Why Good Shepherd? Because He sustains.
“I know My sheep” (John 10:14). He knows more than which sheep belong in His flock, He knows His sheep’s needs and helps them. He knows their hurts and heals them. He knows their weaknesses and cradles them. Your Baptism has numbered you among His sheep and causes Him to say of you, “I know My sheep.”
Why Good Shepherd? Because He seeks.
“I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to My voice” (John 10:16). The Word of promise, first given to Adam and Eve, spoke of God’s overwhelming desire to seek and to save. It was spoken through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, through Moses, Joshua, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. Finally, in the fullness of God’s time, that saving Word of God became flesh. So there could be no mistake as to His identity, the voice of God announced: “You are My Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22).
Why Good Shepherd? Because He saves…sustains…and seeks His sheep.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, who sent Your Son to save, sustain, and seek Your sheep, graciously continue Your work in our lives through the Holy Spirit so we may ever more closely follow the one who leads us and in whose name we pray. Amen.
Response
Give thanks for specific ways the Good Shepherd sustains you in your daily life.