Guided!

Guided!

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10:11 KJV

Jesus speaks directly here, introducing Himself as the good shepherd. He could have just left it as the Good one or just a Shepherd, but the choice of words need a deeper look. If Jesus calls Himself the good shepherd, it means that any other guide or leader is a pretender. If He is the good shepherd, anyone else who leads must take instructions from him and live like Him. He is The, not A good shepherd, so there is just one original version. 

Why a shepherd? A look at the times when these words were spoken will show that it was a noble profession, possibly one of the most important of those days. It was an insight into the heart of a man. With God, it seemed that if you could be patient with animals and take care of them, then God could entrust you with human lives. A shepherd was both the first and the last line of defense for the sheep. Anyone or anything that would hurt the sheep would have to go through the shepherd. And that is sacrifice.

For all who claim to be responsible for at least one life, how are you faring? Are you the god over that life or the instrument of use in the hands of the original God to be a blessing to that life? Are you content to feed fat over the misfortune and ignorance of that life placed in your care or are you careful to ensure that the life is nurtured and catered for in line with the will and Word of God? Do you yourself have the Word of God embedded in you, so you can make a drawing on it when needed?

The example of the good shepherd laying down his life for the sheep, just as Jesus did, has already been established. For all who then follow Jesus, do our lives reflect gratitude for the benefits this sacrifice has sealed for us? The greatest sacrifice has already been given, and nobody can outgive that gift, but we can live out the fruits of that sacrifice through our daily living. As we relate with people, we must seek to show off the fruit of the sacrifice of Jesus. 

All who take advantage of the sacrifice become His sheep. All who trust in His cleansing blood become His sheep. He gave His life for me so I could spend mine showing Him off and glorifying Him. If I am not doing these, then maybe I was never one of His sheep in the first place. Who are you: sheep or an outsider? Eternity awaits your response and decision. His time of favour is here.