Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd. In doing that, He told a lot about Himself. This devotion explores how He described Himself.
Nuggets
- There is only one way to gain spiritual life – through Jesus.
- Salvation is about obeying and submitting to God.
- The Shepherd laid down His life for His sheep — us — because, well, we’re His sheep.
- We forget about the Shepherd taking care of the individual sheep.
- The Jews thought God would just be concerned about them because they were God’s chosen people, but He is concerned about everyone else, too.
We are generally familiar with Jesus being called Good Shepherd. The 12 verses have a lot packed into them. Let’s take a look before we make all the connections for these three devotions.
The Gate
“Jesus said again, “Truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance” (Jn. 10: 7-10 CSB)
This wasn’t the only time Jesus used a gate to describe things. “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Mt. 7: 13-14 ESV).
But think about it. A gate funnels entrances to a specific location. “Jesus said to [us], ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (Jn. 14: 6 ESV). There is only one way to gain spiritual life – through Jesus.
No, we don’t get to choose which way we think would be the best for us. We don’t get to decide which will be the best fit with our lifestyles (that allows us to keep things as closely as possible to what they are).
Salvation is about obeying God. It is about submitting to Him.
Mankind messed it up before. Adam and Eve wanted to do thing their way instead of what God told them to do.
What? Am I supposed to sugarcoat this, so it is more palatable for us to swallow?
We are getting to the point where we have to take a stand. We have to make a decision because the time to make the decision is going to be over soon.
So, no. I love you too much to not set it out straight.
It is really, really important that we find the gate. The consequences of sin will be horrific.
To read a devotion in the Hell Does Have Fury series, click on the appropriate button below.
Instead, those who ABCD can look forward to eternal life in heaven. No, the back end of verse 10 is not evidence of a prosperity gospel — at least not here in this life.
It is talking spiritual life. That is what God is interested in for us.
The ABCDs of Salvation
If you have not become a believer in Christ, please read through the
Plan of Salvation and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do.
A – admit our sins
B – believe His Son Jesus is our Redeemer
C – confess God as Sovereign Lord
D – demonstrate that commitment by making any changes needed in our lives to
live the way in which God has called us
The Disciple’s Job Description
Shepherd
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. This happens because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care about the sheep” (Jn. 10: 11-13 CSB)
It is still mind boggling at times that Jesus knew He was coming to die this horrific death — and He came and died anyway. We meant that much to Him.
But this wasn’t something that Jesus could just have His assistant handle. It wasn’t doing research. It wasn’t setting up the meeting and getting the coffee.
Jesus’ blood was needed. Only His blood made the perfect sacrifice to make the payment for our sins.
The Shepherd laid down His life for His sheep — us — because, well, we’re His sheep. No one else would have our interests in mind. No one cares for us more.
Anyone else would tuck tail and run when the rough spots came. And yes, the wolf (Satan) will come.
We generally think about shepherds taking care of the whole flock. We forget about the Shepherd taking care of the individual sheep.
We don’t picture the Shepherd carrying that one sheep around His neck. We forget about the Shepherd leaving the 99.
To read a related devotion, click the appropriate button below.
We are really good at scattering. We want to go our own way and not think about what God wants us to do.
Expansion
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. But I have other sheep that are not from this sheep pen; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father” (Jn. 10: 14-18 CSB)
Jesus went back and expanded on what He had just talked about.
- Jesus is the Shepherd.
- Those who come in through the gate are His — regardless where they come from, what they look like, and what they have done.
- He knows His.
- He will willingly die for His.
- Not everyone who is His had come through the gate yet.
- The sheep have to listen to Him.
- This was God’s plan that was in place from before the foundation of the world.
Jesus was such a good Shepherd. He was concerned about all of His sheep.
The Jews thought God would just be concerned about them because they were God’s chosen people.
Jesus shot that down. He is concerned about everyone else, too.
Yes, God is concerned about non-believers, too. If He wasn’t, how would they become believers?
Don’t read that wrong. God’s love for non-believers will not negate the fact that they have to choose Him. In order to right what became wrong when Adam and Eve chose to disobey, we have to choose to obey. That is the only way we get through the gate.
Making the Connections
Mediator, advocate, intercessor, physician, elder brother, forerunner, king, master, head, priest, Captain, bridegroom, shepherd.
Man, Jesus has to be busy being all that for everyone! Plus, depending on the need for the moment, He is multiple things to us.
I might need a Physician right now because can we say allergies in the spring in the Midwest? How many times a day do I need a Priest? That flips on Intercessor. I should never forget that He is always Master and King. (If I do, I need the Priest again.) But He also is always Elder Brother.
Oh, yes. Jesus has to be busy — but He is never too busy for us to come to Him. In fact, He welcomes our coming to Him. He is waiting for us to come.
Making the Connections to Self-Discipline
We are also considering what we would say if a non-believer asked us. Here is the worksheet again. What would you tell someone about God forgiving and forgetting sins?
- What does the Scriptures say?
- What do I believe?
- Why do I believe the same/differently than the Scriptures?
- What are the talking points when witnessing to a non-believer?
Related Links
I have created a worksheet of the questions above. Click on the button below to access it.
How Do We Apply This?
Let’s think about this, too?
- Which Jesus do you approach the most? (Try ranking them.)
- Do you consider that good or bad? (Is it good to need the Priest all the time? Maybe if you worship a lot, but what if it is you need a lot of forgiveness?)
- Is there a Jesus you are neglecting?
- What do you need to do to become a more mature disciple?
Related Links
I have created a worksheet of the questions above. Click on the button below to access it.
Does it make a difference how we approach Jesus? I would argue yes. We must approach Him as King. If we have to keep approaching Him as Priest, have we really given Him control of our lives?
When you’ve identified an area that you want to work on (because let’s face it, we can all use some work), seek Him.
Searching for and Seeking God
Hearing His Word (Rom. 10: 17).
Reading His Word (Rev. 1: 3).
Praying to Him (Heb. 4: 16).
Studying His Word (Ac. 17: 11).
Meditating on His Word (Ps. 1: 1-2).
Memorizing His Word (Ps. 119: 11).
Here are some resources that you might find helpful.
Father God. You are all we need. Lord, we know we need Jesus to intercede for us. Without Him, we are not even worthy to approach You. But because of His love and Your love for us — and if acceptance of Him as our Savior — we can. Thank You that Jesus doesn’t always wait for us to intercede for us. May we approach the Priest frequently to confess our sins. May we always, always approach You as King and Master. Amen.
What do you think?
Leave me a comment below (about this or anything else) or head over to my Facebook group for some interactive discussion.
If you don’t understand something and would like further clarification, please contact me.
If you have not signed up for the email daily or weekly providing the link to the devotions and the newsletter, do so below.
If God has used this devotion to speak with you, consider sharing it on social media.
Nuggets
How Do We Apply This?
Searching for and Seeking God
Hearing His Word (Rom. 10: 17).
Reading His Word (Rev. 1: 3).
Praying to Him (Heb. 4: 16).
Studying His Word (Ac. 17: 11).
Meditating on His Word (Ps. 1: 1-2).
Memorizing His Word (Ps. 119: 11).
To read Has God Provided Everything We Need?, click the button below.
If you have not admitted that your relationship is not right with God,
have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior,
and have not confessed your sins,
please read through the Plan of Salvation and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do.
Related Links
Related Links
I have created a worksheet of the questions above. Click on the button below to access it.
Don’t know what your spiritual gifts are?
Take this Spiritual Gifts Inventory
The Disciple’s Job Description
Complete Job Description
Individual Description
Job Duty #1
Be a Living Sacrifice (Romans 12: 1-2)
Job Duty #2
Work Out Our Salvation (Philippians 2: 12)
Job Duty #3
Bring Him Glory (Matthew 5: 16)
Job Duty #4
Proclaim the Gospel (Mark 16: 15)
Job Duty #5
Love People (John 15: 12)
Job Duty #6
Make Disciples (Matthew 28: 19-20)
Job Duty #7
Other Duties as Assigned
(Ecclesiastes 3: 1)
It Was Enough
Vocalist: Elaine Guthals
Keyboard: Chris Vieth
What do you think?
Leave me a comment below (about this or anything else) or head over to my Facebook group for some interactive discussion.
If you don’t understand something and would like further clarification, please contact me.
If you have not signed up for the email daily or weekly providing the link to the devotions and the newsletter, do so below.
If God has used this devotion to speak with you, consider sharing it on social media.
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