John 10:11 I am the Good Shepherd. The good Shepherd gives His Life to the sheep.
One of the most comforting Names/Titles given to Jesus is that of the good SHEPHERD. The definition of shepherd is a person who tends, herds, feeds, and guards their flock of sheep.
In the 10th Chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus declares Himself to be the Good SHEPHERD. I am the Good Shepherd. The good Shepherd gives His Life to the sheep. (John 10:11) When we delve into those three words (the Good Shepherd) we find tremendous comfort.
Jesus is THE good Shepherd as opposed to A good Shepherd. He said this because He is the ONLY good Shepherd for His sheep (people). Anyone can feed and guard a flock of sheep but Jesus is the ONLY One who gave His Life for His sheep.
Jesus declared Himself to be the GOOD Shepherd as opposed to just a hired Shepherd. The Greek word for good is kalos which means noble, wholesome, good, and beautiful. It signifies not only that which is good inwardly (character) but also that which is beautiful outwardly. It denotes complete goodness, Righteousness, and beauty.
With this understanding of the words “the” and “good,” we get a more distinct picture of Jesus’ description of Himself when He said I am the Good Shepherd. We are all born lost sheep in this world in desperate need of the Good SHEPHERD. Without Him, we will wander around in the dark and find nothing but trouble in Satan’s evil world.
One of the most comforting Scriptures in the Word of God is the 23rd Psalm. It was written by David who was a wonderful shepherd himself. The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of Righteousness for His Name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke all refer to people as sheep in need of a shepherd. Then, in the Gospel of John, Jesus declares Himself to be the Good SHEPHERD! His Words paint a beautiful picture that many artists have attempted to paint. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the Door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the Door is the shepherd of the sheep. To Him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear His Voice; He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. And when He brings out His own sheep, He goes before them; and the sheep follow Him, for they know His Voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.
Then Jesus said to them again, Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the Door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the Door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be Saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His Life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the Good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My Life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My Voice; and there will be one flock and one Shepherd. (John 10:1-16)
Jesus is the Good SHEPHERD. We all start off as sheep without a good shepherd in a lost world. Jesus gave His Life to be your SHEPHERD. Have you joined His Flock? Do you know His Voice? Listen for His Voice. He is calling you into His Fold where there is Salvation, Sanctification, Deliverance, Protection, Provision, Love, Joy, Peace, Comfort, Abundant Life, and Eternal Life.
The Good SHEPHERD will……….turn the tide……...in your world.
I know His Voice, Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
