ODJ: the God-Shepherd
April 24, 2010
The Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd (Revelation 7:17).
READ: John 10:11-18
SARS in 2003. Bird or avian flu (H5N1) in 2004 and 2006. And the H1N1 or swine flu in 2009. It looks like the world is set for more flu outbreaks and potential pandemics. In 2006, surveys were conducted to determine if healthcare workers would abandon their workplace during a flu pandemic. One survey in Singapore revealed that nearly 26 percent of the medical professionals felt they should not be forced to care for patients during an outbreak. Thirty percent of German medical personnel stated that it would be acceptable to abandon their workplace. In a US survey, an alarming 50 percent of healthcare workers said they might bolt from the workplace during a pandemic.
While every job has its occupational hazards, no employee wants to die in the course of his or her work. A soldier strives to stay alive in order to carry out his duties. A shepherd will reluctantly die for his sheep. Except for the Good Shepherd, that is.
Twice, Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11,14). This is one of the seven “I am” sayings in John’s gospel (John 6:35, 8:12, 10:7, 10:11, 11:25, 14:6, 15:1). “I am” is the language of deity (Exodus 3:14). Jesus is the Divine Shepherd. He’s the God-shepherd.
Three times Jesus says He “sacrifices His life for the sheep” (John 10:11,15,17). Why? Because the sheep belong to Him (v.12) and He really cares for them (v.13). The Good Shepherd knows His sheep by name (vv.3,14; 2 Timothy 2:19). Jesus knows us intimately. He knows our idiosyncrasies, strengths, weaknesses, failures, and hurts. He knows us inside out (Psalm 139:13-16).
Jesus speaks of His deity and His duty. He is the God-shepherd who sacrificially lays down His life for His sheep. He’s the Good Shepherd who is there and truly cares. —K.T. Sim
The Good Shepherd may know you, but how well do you know Him? How can you make sure that it’s the Shepherd’s voice you’re hearing?
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