Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
Phillip Keller says in his book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 that he talks about four requirements that sheep need before they can relax and sleep.
They have to be free from friction. Have you ever been in a bus? I've been in a bus where it's been really, really hot, standing next to people and they're sweaty. I'm sweaty. It's not cool, all right.
Number two: freedom from fear. Does anybody like to be fearful? Fear. Anxiety. Worry. That's one of the worst emotions we can experience. Sheep must be free from fear.
Thirdly, sheep need to be free from pests—little, bitty bugs and things. I'll never forget this. When I was in Yosemite years ago and I laid my head down—it was about 10:00 p.m., next to my wife, and sure enough, buzzing around, there was one mosquito in my tent. It was like World War Three right in my tent from one little pest. Just like sheep, we needed to be free from pests.
Fourthly, they need to be free from hunger. You know, sheep are just like us.
Our Verse of the Day today is John chapter 10, verse 11. Jesus says, "'I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd sacrifices His life for the sheep.'"
The Theme of John
The theme of John is basically: these things are written that Jesus is the Christ and that by believing you may have life in His name.
Again, we're looking at imagery of sheep and the shepherd, and Jesus is contrasting the great Shepherd, the Good Shepherd Himself, with the bad shepherds, unfortunately, of Israel. Very simply, after we see that Jesus is the gate for the sheep in John chapter 10, verse 9, we come to this beautiful passage which essentially shows: there are two qualities of the Good Shepherd in John chapter 10, verse 11.
Number One: Jesus Is the Good Shepherd
Number one: Jesus is the Good Shepherd. It's not just a good shepherd—He is the unique good. In the original language, kalos—shepherd. That word "good" means intrinsically beautiful, intrinsically perfect, honorable, somebody who's worthy of imitation. This is the uniquely Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ Himself. He's flawless.
Number Two: Jesus Is the Sacrificial Shepherd
He's not only the Good Shepherd—but this is what makes Him amazing. Secondly, Jesus is the sacrificial Shepherd. "The Good Shepherd sacrifices His life for the sheep." Do you know what that means? It means Jesus Christ is committed to you.
You and I know that lack of commitment is about avoiding long-term planning. Exit strategies are all open. No vulnerability, selfishness. Not Jesus. He is with you. He is for you. He is in you, and He is with you for the long haul, forever.
It's like Jesus saying: You know, I'm always ready to guide you. I'm going to be with you in all of your difficulties. I'm not going to bail. I'm not going to leave. I'm not going to do anything like that because I'm the Good Shepherd, and I'm committed to you and the purposes that I have for you in your life.
What Do We Do with This Passage?
What do we do with this particular passage? Well, number one: Jesus Christ is for you. He's going to certainly be the Good Shepherd for you, because He's already died for you when you were His enemy. Now He will constantly be your good Shepherd, doing good for you.
Jesus Christ Is Forever with You
I love this second point: Jesus Christ is forever with you. He's forever with you and forever committed to you.
Imagine if Jesus was your friend, He was your good Shepherd for a thousand years, for 10,000, for 100,000, or for a million years. Then after a million, He ran out. Not Jesus Christ. He is forever committed. No divorce, no breakup, and no separation.
The Bible says in Romans chapter 8, verse 39: “Nothing shall separate us from the love of God. Nothing—neither height nor depth, nor angels, nor principalities—nothing will separate us from His love.” No cold shoulder from God, no half-in-half-out. He’s always committed to you and me.
Unique Ministries from Scripture
I love this. You know, there are Jesus Christ's unique, special ministries that come right out of these passages in John. He died for you. He has given His eternal life. He is your Shepherd. He calls and leads you. Then in John chapter 10, just a few verses later in our passage, Jesus Christ says, "I give them eternal life. They'll never perish. No one shall snatch them out of My hand."
Why? Because He's committed to you, and He's committed to me.
Be Committed to Him
Because Jesus Christ loved you, died for you, and is committed to you, let's be committed to Him.