Ezekiel 34:12 "As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock...."
One of the most comforting Old Testament pictures of the Messiah was that of the shepherd. Jesus claimed the title Messiah for Himself when He said: "I am the Good Shepherd" (John 10:14). He based His claim not on His teachings and miracles alone, but rather on His Saviorhood, as the One who laid down His life for His people. Christ laid down His life as a ransom to purchase His sheep.
Why did He have to die? Because "we all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way" (Isaiah 53:6). Willfully we left the fold. We became lost in the night, in the storms of a troubled world. We became lost in our own pet theories and the blinding fog of our doubts, our sins.
For such lost sheep as we are, the Good Shepherd came and freely, willingly, lovingly laid down His life that we might once again be led back into the fold. What a wonderful shepherd is ours!
No wonder we love this picture of Christ!
PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are my Good Shepherd. Thank You for caring for me and keeping me in Your loving arms. Amen.
(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996, Concordia Publishing House (out of print). For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)
Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 9, 11 John 8:1-27
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