The Lord is Our Shepherd

Love for One Another Godly Love Among Believers Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)    Abiding Love John 10:11-18 New International Version 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” For Reflection It is difficult for us in 2020 to understand the role of a shepherd.  But to those of Jesus' time, all knew what a shepherd was. When wolves threatened a shepherd's sheep, his livelihood, indeed his survival, was at risk. Someone hired for the task had little investment in the herd and had no reason to sacrifice his own life for the sheep's safety.  We, the believers who practice our faith, are the sheep among the wolves. We share in the inheritance of the shepherd, and so are not ones without obligation to protect each other and those around us. We embody the Goodness who has created us. Jesus is not God's hired hand. He is both the offerer and the offering that clarifies who and why we are.  Pray Pray, so you will develop an intimate relationship with He who loves you. Pray so that you may understand the trust God has placed in you. Pray so that you may likewise return trust with trust.  Pray and find in yourself the love of the Shepherd for his flock. Forward to a friend