Kept!

Kept!

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

John 10:11 KJV

Context:

Today's extract is taken from the teachings of Jesus. He spoke in parables to his disciples who did not always understand what he was saying at the time, but now, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we are able to decipher the mind of God on matters relating to our walk with Him. He wants to be involved in our daily life if we will let him. He will not force himself on us, or compel us to respond to him. His grace is freely available, but I am the one to decide how to embrace and fully utilise it. 

Jesus refers to himself as a shepherd, as well as the door of the sheep. He is the one who is life, and also gives life to all who come to him. This is the picture of the shepherd that God would have me see: a God of absolute knowledge, who cares a lot about the sheep in his care, and will move earth and heaven just to protect his own. He leads out his own, and then stands in front of them, so that whatever is coming has to touch him first before it touches his sheep. The sheep, based on relationship, know him as the shepherd, and are ready to listen to and follow him. Guess the question that remains is: am I one of his sheep, or am I still struggling to define who I am and who I belong to? 

Message and Response:

There are shepherds and there are shepherds. Some would give their own life if the sheep will be kept safe. That is the type of shepherd I am introduced to here. The fact that the word 'good' is used here is evidence that there are bad variants. It matters whose flock you belong to, because that will determine what you get. You cannot have a bad shepherd and be safe from harm. If the one who you trust as your shepherd is a bad one, it is only a matter of time before your life is threatened. Whose flock are you? Is God your shepherd? 

Why is God a good shepherd? He is, because he gave his life for us all. That is the determinant if a good variant: one who is ready to do what it takes to keep the sheep safe. Am I all about what I can get? Am I all about what is in it for me? Can I put another person's interests over and above my own? Jesus did all of these things for me, and then demands that I do the same for other people. How would I respond? 

It is also important to emphasize that the focus here is on the sheep. God loves the entire world, and this is why he sent his one and only son to die for the sins of the whole world. He can only keep you safe when you have come into his safe place. I cannot insist on doing things my own way and expect God to just 'deal with it'. God can only keep safe that which has been entrusted into his hands. Am I in his hands? Am I fully committed to him, or do I have other allegiances? Am I his sheep or the animal that is wandering on its own, unsure of its home or its destination? 

He has given his life; what would I give up in appreciation of that which I have been given? This life that was given for me calls me into a new phase of life; a new way of living and thinking. The old way of doing things won't cut it anymore. The new life is one of total commitment to the one who secured it. God has done his own bit; what would I do for him in return? Is there anything in my life that is so big that I cannot let go? May the Lord open my eyes to fully understand what my pursuits and priorities are, so that I can make amendments where required. Eternity is too long a time for me not to be sure of the place where I will spend it. His time of favour is here.