Wednesday, May 3, 2006
John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
There are two kinds of shepherds: good ones and bad ones. But when Jesus calls Himself "the good shepherd", He's not just saying that He is one of good ones. By calling himself "THE good shepherd" Jesus elevates himself above all other shepherds. He is the greatest shepherd that could ever be.
Jesus explains why he is worthy of being called "THE good shepherd" when he says, ". . . the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
A good shepherd puts himself between danger and the sheep. Before King David was a king, he was a good shepherd. David killed both a lion and a bear while defending his sheep (1 Samuel 17:34-36).
But David's descendant, Jesus, was a much greater shepherd. For Jesus didn't just put His life on the line. Jesus DIED saving the sheep. And more than that, Jesus didn't just kill a lion or a bear to protect the flock, Jesus killed death and washed away our sins by His suffering and death on the cross.
Of all the things that make Jesus "THE good shepherd" perhaps the most astonishing is the fact that He didn't just lay His life down for the sheep. Jesus also picked His life back up so that He might live on forever and bring that same eternal life to His sheep.
Imagine this scene out on the pasture! The shepherd has fallen at the teeth of the wolf. The flock bleats nervously as the great black wolf slinks closer and closer. But then there is a rustling from behind the wolf, and the shepherd's rod comes crushing down on the wolf's head. And the flock is safe, for He who was dead is alive!
