"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." John 10:27
In his book about Israel and the Promised Land, Dr. Gary M. Burge tells the story of a ten-year-old shepherd, whose family had only 12 sheep. As part of a military action, their sheep had been gathered into a pen with other sheep from their village.
The boy's mother begged the soldiers to let her have her original sheep back, but this did not seem possible. How could her 12 be identified among so many hundreds?
Then her son began playing a simple tune on his flute. All of the sheep heard the sound. But as soon as the boy started to walk away, his family's 12 sheep (and only their 12 sheep) followed him. Dr. Burge concludes, "This boy was a good shepherd. He knew his sheep, and his sheep knew him."
This story demonstrates the connection between a good shepherd and his sheep. This is exactly the connection Jesus described for His followers. He described Himself as "the good shepherd" (v. 11), a Shepherd so concerned about His sheep that He would give up His life for them.
Jesus explained that He knows His sheep, and they know Him. He is their "door," providing the way to safety and salvation. All around them, "thieves and robbers" (v. 8) try to deceive the sheep. They come "only to steal and kill and destroy," but Jesus "came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (v. 10).
This is the kind of relationship Jesus wants to have with each of us. He already gave His life for us. Now we must choose: We can follow the "thieves and robbers" in the world, wandering in our own direction, or we can surrender to the care of the Good Shepherd.
Today, seek to develop a more intimate relationship with Jesus. You can trust Him to provide for you, protect you, and guide you. He is your Shepherd.
The boy's mother begged the soldiers to let her have her original sheep back, but this did not seem possible. How could her 12 be identified among so many hundreds?
Then her son began playing a simple tune on his flute. All of the sheep heard the sound. But as soon as the boy started to walk away, his family's 12 sheep (and only their 12 sheep) followed him. Dr. Burge concludes, "This boy was a good shepherd. He knew his sheep, and his sheep knew him."
This story demonstrates the connection between a good shepherd and his sheep. This is exactly the connection Jesus described for His followers. He described Himself as "the good shepherd" (v. 11), a Shepherd so concerned about His sheep that He would give up His life for them.
Jesus explained that He knows His sheep, and they know Him. He is their "door," providing the way to safety and salvation. All around them, "thieves and robbers" (v. 8) try to deceive the sheep. They come "only to steal and kill and destroy," but Jesus "came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (v. 10).
This is the kind of relationship Jesus wants to have with each of us. He already gave His life for us. Now we must choose: We can follow the "thieves and robbers" in the world, wandering in our own direction, or we can surrender to the care of the Good Shepherd.
Today, seek to develop a more intimate relationship with Jesus. You can trust Him to provide for you, protect you, and guide you. He is your Shepherd.
No comments:
Post a Comment