The Good Shepherd: Love, Sacrifice, and Unity in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Saves Us

Jesus is the leader we are searching for because He willingly laid down His life for us, stepping into our world as God in the flesh to save us from the consequences of our sin. We, like sheep, have all gone astray, choosing our own way and falling short of God's perfect standard, but Jesus took our punishment upon Himself out of love. His sacrifice was not forced; He gave Himself freely so that we could have eternal life and be restored to God. This is the heart of the gospel: the Good Shepherd saves His sheep, not because we are worthy, but because He loves us deeply and desires to bring us back into His fold. [29:07]

John 10:11, 17-18 (ESV)
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep... For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust that Jesus’ sacrifice is enough for you, rather than trying to earn God’s love or forgiveness on your own?

Day 2: The Good Shepherd Cares for Us

Jesus is not a distant or indifferent leader; He cares for us deeply, protecting and providing for us even when we feel alone or under attack. Unlike the hired hand who abandons the sheep in danger, Jesus stays, defends, and absorbs the attacks meant for us, holding us safely in His arms. Even when we walk through the darkest valleys and feel abandoned, we can trust that He is near, guiding us through every trial and never leaving our side. The Good Shepherd’s care is steadfast, and we are invited to rest in His presence, knowing that He is with us in every circumstance. [35:16]

Psalm 23:4 (ESV)
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Reflection: When have you recently felt alone or overwhelmed? How can you remind yourself today that Jesus is with you, caring for you even in the midst of difficulty?

Day 3: The Good Shepherd Knows and Pursues Us

Jesus knows us completely—our deepest sorrows, our darkest secrets, and our greatest hurts—and yet He still loves and pursues us. We do not have to clean ourselves up or hide our flaws to come to Him; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The Good Shepherd seeks out every lost sheep, no matter how far they have wandered, and invites them into His loving embrace. His pursuit is relentless, and His knowledge of us is intimate, offering us true belonging and acceptance that we cannot find anywhere else. [38:38]

Romans 5:8 (ESV)
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Reflection: What is one area of your life you tend to hide from God or others? How might you let Jesus meet you there with His love and acceptance today?

Day 4: Jesus Unites Us as One Flock

Jesus not only saves and cares for us individually, but He also unites us as one flock under His leadership, breaking down barriers of background, culture, and status. The unity we have in Christ is deeper than any other bond—deeper than shared interests, names, or experiences—because it is rooted in our shared relationship with Him. This unity is experienced among believers all over the world, transcending language and culture, and it is a powerful testimony to the world of the love and grace of the Good Shepherd. [42:18]

John 10:16 (ESV)
"And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life who is different from you, but who shares faith in Jesus? How can you intentionally build unity with them this week?

Day 5: Calling Out to the Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd desires for us to call out to Him—whether we are lost, weary, or in need of guidance—and He promises to hear and respond. Believing in Jesus leads us to call on His name, and all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. We are also called to share this hope with others, so they too can hear, believe, and call out to the Good Shepherd. Wherever God has placed us, we have the opportunity to point others to Jesus, trusting that He is pursuing them just as He has pursued us. [47:11]

Romans 10:14 (ESV)
"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?"

Reflection: Who is one person God has placed in your life who needs to hear about the Good Shepherd? What is one step you can take this week to share Jesus with them?

Sermon Summary

In John 10, Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd.” This is not just a comforting metaphor, but a bold claim to divinity—Jesus is identifying Himself as the God who shepherded Jacob, the God of Israel, the one who leads, provides, and protects. The good shepherd is the leader every heart is searching for, and in this passage, we see five profound reasons why: He saves us, cares for us, knows us, pursues us, and unites us.

The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. Unlike a hired hand who flees at danger, Jesus willingly steps into harm’s way for us. Our sin—our wandering, our attempts to do life our own way—separates us from God, and the just consequence is death. Yet, the story doesn’t end with our failure. Jesus, fully God and fully man, takes our punishment upon Himself, offering us the gift of eternal life. This is the heart of the gospel: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

But His care goes beyond sacrifice. Jesus knows us intimately—our deepest wounds, our hidden shame, our real selves behind any facade. He doesn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up; He meets us in our mess, loving us as we are and inviting us to Himself. He is relentless in His pursuit, seeking out the lost, the broken, the doubting, and the self-righteous alike. No one is too far gone for His grace.

Jesus also unites us. In a world that seeks unity in shallow things—shared interests, backgrounds, or even common enemies—He offers a deeper bond. In Christ, people from every background, language, and story are brought together as one flock under one shepherd. This unity is not just theoretical; it’s experienced in the global church, in local community, and in the relationships we form with other believers.

The invitation is clear: call out to the good shepherd. Whether you feel lost, weary, or content, He wants to hear your voice. For those who already follow Him, the call is to share this good news, to be present where God has placed you, and to remember that the good shepherd is always near—leading, caring, and providing. Communion is a tangible reminder of His sacrifice and love, inviting us to remember and respond in faith and gratitude.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus is the Good Shepherd—fully God, fully man—who claims the divine role of leading, providing, and protecting His people. His “I am” statement is a direct echo of God’s self-revelation in the Old Testament, reminding us that the one who walks with us is the Creator Himself, not just a wise teacher or moral example. [26:35]
2. The Good Shepherd’s love is sacrificial and personal. He doesn’t just risk His life; He willingly lays it down, taking the punishment for our sin so we can have life. This is not a distant or abstract salvation, but a costly, intentional act rooted in love for each of us, even when we are at our worst. [29:07]
3. Jesus’ care is steadfast, even when we feel alone or under attack. Like a shepherd who cradles the sheep while fending off wolves, He is present in our valleys and deserts, not just our green pastures. Our feelings may waver, but His nearness and protection are promises we can trust, even in the darkest moments. [35:16]
4. The Good Shepherd knows us completely—our failures, our doubts, our hidden pain—and still pursues us. We don’t have to fix ourselves before coming to Him; He meets us in our brokenness and offers grace. His pursuit is relentless, reaching out to the lost, the doubting, and the self-sufficient alike, inviting all to belong. [38:38]
5. True unity is found in Jesus alone. While the world seeks connection in superficial similarities, Christ unites people from every background into one flock. This unity transcends culture, language, and circumstance, forming a family that is rooted in Him and empowered to love, serve, and share the hope of the gospel together. [43:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[20:23] - Introduction: A Life-Saving Story
[21:42] - Seeing with New Eyes
[23:10] - Reading John 10:11-18
[24:58] - Prayer for New Vision
[25:50] - Jesus as the Good Shepherd
[26:35] - Jesus’ Claim to Divinity
[28:28] - The Good Shepherd Lays Down His Life
[30:08] - Why We Need a Savior
[31:37] - The Gospel: Grace for Wandering Sheep
[32:34] - The Shepherd Who Cares
[33:47] - Feeling Alone in the Valley
[35:16] - Trusting God’s Nearness
[37:13] - Known and Loved by the Shepherd
[38:38] - The Shepherd’s Relentless Pursuit
[39:53] - United as One Flock
[41:46] - Unity in Christ: A Deeper Bond
[43:43] - Responding to the Good Shepherd
[44:52] - The Call to Share and Respond
[49:02] - Personal Testimony: From Disorientation to Faith
[52:38] - Jesus’ Pursuit of Every Story
[53:25] - Closing Prayer: The Lord is My Shepherd
[54:51] - Communion: Remembering the Good Shepherd
[56:15] - Benediction: Sent with the Shepherd

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 10:11-18 (ESV) — > 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
> 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
> 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
> 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.
> 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
> 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may 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 I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.

Observation Questions

According to Jesus in John 10:11-18, what are some differences between the good shepherd and the hired hand?
What does Jesus say about his relationship with his sheep in verses 14-15?
In verse 16, Jesus mentions “other sheep that are not of this fold.” What does he say will happen with them?
The sermon says, “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” What does this mean, and how is it different from what the hired hand does? [[29:07]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says Jesus’ claim to be the “good shepherd” is also a claim to be God. Why is this significant for how we understand who Jesus is? [[26:35]]
The passage and sermon both talk about Jesus knowing his sheep and being known by them. What does it mean for Jesus to know us “intimately”—even our “deepest wounds, our hidden shame, our real selves behind any facade”? [[37:13]]
The sermon describes Jesus’ pursuit as “relentless,” reaching out to the lost, the broken, the doubting, and the self-righteous. Why do you think Jesus pursues people who seem far from him? [[38:38]]
The sermon says, “True unity is found in Jesus alone.” How is the unity Jesus brings different from the unity people try to find in other things? [[43:00]]

Application Questions

The sermon says, “Jesus knows us intimately—our deepest wounds, our hidden shame, our real selves behind any facade. He doesn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up; He meets us in our mess, loving us as we are and inviting us to Himself.” Is there an area of your life where you feel like you need to “clean up” before coming to Jesus? What would it look like to let him meet you there? [[37:13]]
The good shepherd “lays down his life for the sheep.” How does remembering Jesus’ sacrifice change the way you see your own failures or struggles? [[29:07]]
The sermon talks about feeling alone or under attack, like being in a valley or desert. When have you felt this way? How can you remind yourself of Jesus’ nearness and care in those moments? [[35:16]]
Jesus pursues the lost, the broken, the doubting, and the self-righteous. Is there someone in your life who seems “too far gone” for God’s grace? How might God be inviting you to show them the love of the good shepherd? [[38:38]]
The sermon says, “In Christ, people from every background, language, and story are brought together as one flock under one shepherd.” Are there barriers—like background, personality, or past hurts—that make it hard for you to feel united with other believers? What’s one step you could take to build deeper unity? [[43:00]]
The invitation is to “call out to the good shepherd.” What does it look like for you to call out to Jesus in your current season—whether you feel lost, weary, or content? [[47:11]]
For those who already follow Jesus, the sermon says the call is to “share this good news, to be present where God has placed you.” Where has God placed you right now, and what’s one way you can be present and share the hope of the good shepherd this week? [[48:04]]

Sermon Clips

You see, Jesus is the leader we're looking for because he, being our God, has laid down his life for us to save us. But the question is why? Why did Jesus, our God, come into our world as our good shepherd and die for us? Why do we need a savior? Why do we need the good shepherd? And the answer is because we're like sheep. Sheep are easily distracted. They easily wander. They easily go astray. [00:29:48] (33 seconds) #WhyWeNeedASavior

You see, Jesus is the one we're looking for because he cares for us. Because he cares. There are three different leaders in this little section of text, right? We have the wolf. We have the hired hand. And then we have the good shepherd. The wolf, he comes to destroy. He comes to seek the destruction and the dispersion of the flock. He wants them to be scattered. He doesn't want them to be united. He wants to see them destroyed. The hired hand, on the other hand, he doesn't care for the sheep. And so instead, when he sees the wolf coming, he flees. But not the good shepherd. Not the good shepherd. The good shepherd, he stays. He defends. He protects. [00:32:43] (45 seconds) #GoodShepherdProtects

You see, the good shepherd, who saves us, who cares for us, also knows us. He knows our deepest sorrows, and he knows our darkest secrets. He knows who you really are, and you cannot hide from him. He sees beyond the facade that you may put up, and he knows you. I know my own, and my own know me. I lay down my life for the sheep, Jesus says. [00:36:52] (34 seconds) #HeKnowsYouDeeply

There is a wrong belief that many people have. They believe that they have to clean themselves up in order to get to God. That they have to be better, be more religious, do more things in order to get right with God. See, our good shepherd, he knows us. He knows who we really are, and he still died for us. Before we cleaned ourselves up, before we got better, because the good shepherd knew we couldn't clean ourselves up. We couldn't do anything to be better. [00:37:34] (35 seconds) #GraceBeforeCleanliness

No matter how bad, no matter how dirty, no matter how far gone you may feel like you are, no matter how incapable of cleaning yourself up, we have a good shepherd who's in pursuit of us. [00:39:10] (20 seconds) #RelentlessPursuit

You see, Jesus is the leader we're looking for, because he saves us. We cannot save ourselves. Because he cares for us. Because he knows us. Because he pursues us. He knows our greatest heart, our greatest hurt, rather. He knows our darkest secret. Yet he's still pursuing us, so that he can unite us. [00:44:02] (25 seconds) #JesusSavesAndUnites

If you're lost and you don't know which way to go, the good shepherd wants you to call out to him. If you're in the desert, in the dry and weary land, exhausted, tired, defeated, the good shepherd wants you to call out to him. If you're lying down in the green pastures and you're drinking beside the still waters, the good shepherd wants you to call out to him. [00:47:11] (29 seconds) #TheShepherdCallsYou

If you're not a follower of Jesus yet, Jesus is pursuing you. He's in this relentless pursuit of you. He's organized the circumstances of your life so that you too can hear, so that you too can believe, and you too can call out. [00:48:39] (18 seconds) #RelentlessLovePursues

If you're here and you haven't met the Good Shepherd yet, hear this. He's pursuing you. He knows you more intimately than you know yourself. He knows your greatest hurt. He knows your darkest secret. And yet he's still pursuing you. He wants to bring you in. He wants to be believed upon. He wants to be called upon. [00:52:43] (28 seconds) #HeKnowsYourHeart

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What does it mean that Jesus is the good shepherd?

How does Jesus demonstrate care and protection for believers?

In what ways does Jesus unify followers across differences?