Wednesday, May 2, 2007
John 10:14 "I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own."
OUR SHEPHERD KNOWS US AND TAKES GOOD CARE OF US
This is one of the characteristics of a shepherd who is "good." He knows his sheep and has a genuine interest in their well-being. A stranger neither knows nor has any concern for the sheep. In fact, to the stranger all the sheep look alike. But not to their shepherd. He knows which sheep is sick and in need of being nursed to health. He knows which one has pricked itself on a thorn bush and needs to have the bleeding wound cleaned and bandaged. He knows when a sheep has gone missing and will head off into the wilds to find it and bring it back.
So it is with our Shepherd. He know us personally and cares for our needs individually. He know about all things going on in our lives from day to day and moment to moment. He knows the big hurts you suffer and little ones. He's aware of the thorns of trouble pricking your heart and pressures of the daily grind wearing on your mind. He knows about that burden of sorrow you have weighing on your heart right now. He sees it when we stray from His paths and seeks us out in love to bring us to repentance.
No one else may know what's going on in our life but Jesus does. It is for this reason that He's in a position to help us and take good care of us. As a beloved sheep of His may you find comfort in this assurance of Holy Scripture: "He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young" (Isaiah 40:11).
