Good Good Shepherd

“I am the good shepherd...and I will lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15

Do we know our good shepherd? Do we know how much He loves us personally, intimately, uniquely, lavishly? He gave His life for us because of that crazy love! We should spend our life getting to know Him instead of running away from what we think He is. 

Shepherds work hard to take care of their sheep. It is no easy task. They stay outdoors with their flock day and night. During the day, they walk the sheep so they can graze on green pastures. At night they guard the open sheep folds or take them to the shelter of a cave to keep the sheep safe from hyenas and other predators. They count the sheep and make sure they are healthy. They lead them to refreshing pools of water to quench their thirst and draw water for them from a well if there was no water to drink. 

If a sheep was rebellious, and strayed from the flock, the sheep could get mauled by a jackal. Sometimes we desire freedom, and prefer to do life our way, going after what we perceive as good. It was the same for Adam and Eve in the Book of Genesis. God provided a beautiful garden for them to live in. He only had ONE rule, DO NOT eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:16-17) Out of all the trees in the garden, Eve set her lustful eyes on the fruit of that ONE tree after the serpent enticed her. The serpent continues enticing each and every sheep of the good Shepherd. And we keep listening and going astray.

Until we discover how we are much better off with the good Shepherd who loves us and cares for us and wants the best for us. We realize He has been looking for us all along, every time we strayed. He wants us back. He never gives up on us. He gave His life for us.