May 8, 2025
The Good Shepherd - Part 4
John 10:14-15
05/08/2025
14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own
know me,
15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
and I lay down my life for the sheep. (ESV)
Jesus told His followers:
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;
and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows each of His sheep intimately
and completely. This is not merely recognition, but true
knowledge of our flaws, our strengths, and our needs. Indeed, He
is more aware of our true selves than we possibly can know. Yet,
in spite of our flaw, our weaknesses, our sins, He lays down His
life for His sheep.
Because Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves, we
come to know Him as our Savior, our Redeemer from sin and death.
In giving His life for us, He sacrifices Himself for our eternal
blessing. Only through Him are we reconciled to the Father.
Only through Him can we have the peace of knowing our sins are
forgiven. Because He is both true God and true man, Jesus knows
our needs, and daily provides for our hope and peace.
The bond between Jesus Christ and His people is as strong as
the bond between the Father and the Son. We know what the
Shepherd has planned for us, life everlasting with Him. We know
what it takes to receive His gift of salvation, nothing on our
part, for our redemption from sin and death is a gift bestowed
long before we knew Him.
The Good Shepherd is pleased as we respond to His love, as
we reflect His love to others. We love our neighbors because the
Shepherd first loved us.
May our Lord grant us His grace to know His love and mercy,
which brings us the peace which the world cannot give. Amen.