Embodying the Love of the Good Shepherd

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus' Self-Sacrificial Love as the Good Shepherd

Jesus' declaration as the "Good Shepherd" in John 10 reveals the depth of His self-sacrificial love. Unlike hired hands who flee at the first sign of danger, Jesus is committed to laying down His life for His sheep. This commitment is not just about protection but is deeply personal, as He knows His sheep intimately, and they know Him. This relationship is rooted in the divine identity of Jesus, as seen in His "I am" sayings, which connect to the divine name revealed to Moses. Jesus' love is a model for us, calling us to seek out the lost and care for the wounded, just as He does. [38:13]

Ezekiel 34:11-12 (ESV): "For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness."

Reflection: Who in your life is in need of self-sacrificial love today? How can you reach out to them in a way that reflects Jesus' commitment to His flock?

Day 2: True Leadership in God's Kingdom

The prophetic rebuke in Ezekiel 34 highlights the failure of Israel's leaders to care for their people, a failure that Jesus addresses in His critique of the Pharisees. True leadership in God's kingdom is marked by care and compassion, not by self-interest or neglect. Jesus embodies the true shepherd, one who seeks out the lost and rejoices over their return. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate this leadership, caring for those entrusted to us with the same compassion and dedication that Jesus shows. [46:06]

1 Peter 5:2-3 (ESV): "Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock."

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate true leadership in your community or family today? How can you show care and compassion to those who look to you for guidance?

Day 3: The Sacrificial Nature of Jesus' Love

The story of the mother bird sacrificing herself to save her chicks during a wildfire poignantly captures the essence of Jesus' sacrifice. This is the heart of the Gospel: a God who lays down His life for His people, offering them eternal life and reconciliation. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate this love, reaching out to those who are lost and sharing the good news of salvation. This sacrificial love is not just about grand gestures but is also reflected in our daily actions and choices. [51:23]

1 John 3:16 (ESV): "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers."

Reflection: What is one small, sacrificial act of love you can perform today for someone in need? How can this act reflect the love of Christ to them?

Day 4: God's Relentless Pursuit of the Lost

The parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15 emphasizes God's relentless pursuit of the lost. Jesus' mission is to seek and save, and as His followers, we are invited to join in this mission, bringing others into the fold. This pursuit is not passive but active, requiring us to step out of our comfort zones and reach out to those who are far from God. It is a mission of love and reconciliation, inviting others to experience the grace and mercy of the Good Shepherd. [54:05]

Matthew 18:12-14 (ESV): "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you feel God is calling you to pursue with His love? What steps can you take today to reach out to them and share the good news of Jesus?

Day 5: Sharing the True Nature of God as the Good Shepherd

Our call as disciples is to share the true nature of God as the Good Shepherd, countering misconceptions and inviting others into a reconciled relationship with Him. This is the good news we are to proclaim, a message of hope and love that transforms lives. As we share this message, we are not only inviting others to know God but also deepening our own understanding of His character and love. This call requires us to be intentional in our relationships and conversations, always pointing others to the Good Shepherd. [58:20]

Colossians 1:28 (ESV): "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ."

Reflection: How can you intentionally share the true nature of God as the Good Shepherd with someone this week? What specific steps can you take to invite them into a deeper relationship with Him?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we delve into the profound declaration of Jesus as the "Good Shepherd" from John 10. This statement is not just a metaphor but a revelation of God's character and Jesus' mission. The "I am" sayings of Jesus, rooted in the divine name revealed to Moses, underscore His divine identity and purpose. Jesus contrasts Himself with the hired hands, who abandon the sheep at the first sign of danger, highlighting His commitment to lay down His life for His flock. This self-sacrificial love is the essence of His shepherding, a love that seeks out the lost and binds up the wounded.

Reflecting on my own journey, I shared a personal story from my early career days, illustrating the difference between merely doing a job and truly excelling in one's calling. This ties back to the idea of being a "good" shepherd, as opposed to just any shepherd. The Good Shepherd is one who knows His sheep intimately and is willing to go to great lengths for their well-being.

The narrative from Ezekiel 34 serves as a backdrop, where God rebukes the leaders of Israel for failing to care for their people. This prophetic word resonates with Jesus' critique of the Pharisees, who, like the hired hands, fail to truly care for the flock. Jesus, however, embodies the true shepherd, one who seeks out the lost and rejoices over their return, as illustrated in the parable of the lost sheep from Luke 15.

The imagery of the mother bird sacrificing herself to save her chicks during a wildfire poignantly captures the essence of Jesus' sacrifice. This is the heart of the Gospel: a God who lays down His life for His people, offering them eternal life and reconciliation. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate this love, reaching out to those who are lost and sharing the good news of salvation.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus as the Good Shepherd reveals God's self-sacrificial love, contrasting with the hired hands who abandon the sheep. This love is not just protective but deeply personal, as Jesus knows His sheep and they know Him. [38:13]
2. The prophetic rebuke in Ezekiel 34 highlights the failure of Israel's leaders to care for their people, a failure that Jesus addresses in His critique of the Pharisees. True leadership in God's kingdom is marked by care and compassion. [46:06]
3. The story of the mother bird in the wildfire illustrates the sacrificial nature of Jesus' love, a love that shields and saves. This is the heart of the Gospel, calling us to lay down our lives for others. [51:23]
4. The parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15 emphasizes God's relentless pursuit of the lost. Jesus' mission is to seek and save, and as His followers, we are invited to join in this mission, bringing others into the fold. [54:05]
5. Our call as disciples is to share the true nature of God as the Good Shepherd, countering misconceptions and inviting others into a reconciled relationship with Him. This is the good news we are to proclaim. [58:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[35:55] - Introduction to the "I Am" Series
[36:14] - The Significance of "I Am"
[36:54] - Jesus as the Good Shepherd
[37:28] - Context of Jesus' Teaching
[38:13] - The Good Shepherd's Sacrifice
[39:23] - Personal Journey and Reflection
[41:12] - Lessons from the Call Center
[44:54] - The Meaning of "Good"
[45:14] - Ezekiel's Rebuke of Israel's Shepherds
[47:29] - Characteristics of a True Shepherd
[49:38] - Jesus' Self-Sacrificial Love
[51:23] - The Story of the Mother Bird
[53:30] - The Parable of the Lost Sheep
[55:18] - Our Call to Share the Good News
[59:59] - Closing Hymn: "Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us"

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