The Good Shepherd
What things do you think are worth spending your life on? Australian adventurer Andrew Macaulay came from Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains. He invested his life in testing the limits of human endurance. He came very close to setting a new record in paddling across the Tasman Sea from Australia to New Zealand. Sadly, within 50-60 kilometres of landfall his canoe capsized and he was lost at sea. Some people would say that he was crazy to attempt such a dangerous feat. Others would see it as pursuing his passion. He gave his life for the things that mattered to him. His wife and family were justifiably proud of this.
Jesus spoke to his disciples about his willingness to die for them using the image of a shepherd. A shepherd in Jesus’ day had a flock of about one hundred sheep that he knew by name. At night they slept in a pen that he guarded with his life. He was the “gate”. Any thief or wild animal had to get past him to attack the sheep. He would defend them to the death because they were his flock. Jesus put it like this:
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away.” (John 10:11-12)
In contrast, there were times when a hired servant looked after the flock. They didn’t have the same care or concern for the sheep. They would run away when danger came. They were more concerned about saving their own life than protecting the sheep.
The Christian faith reminds us that God knows us by name. It also teaches that we have been made by God and belong to God. As a result we are “his”, like the shepherd’s sheep. Even when we get lost and stray away he comes looking for us. (Luke 15:1-7) His commitment is not half-hearted or self-serving. It is passionate, total and self-giving. Jesus confirmed his words by his actions. As “the good shepherd” he laid down his life for us.
Like sheep we are often unaware of the dangers we face, from our ignorance of God or our disobedience. We may be tempted to dismiss the idea of being “saved” by Jesus as unnecessary. While life is going well we feel self-sufficient. When things go wrong we may wonder why God didn’t help us.
Alternatively, we may trust or follow a variety of “hired hands”. These are friends, gurus, philosophers, pop stars and other hero figures. They may have limited or no commitment to us. They accept our friendship, money and adoration but move on when it suits them. When pressure, danger and difficulties come our way they are gone.
Jesus’ death on the cross demonstrates his commitment to us. His resurrection from the dead confirms his claim to be God and His promise to be with us always. (Matthew 28:19-20) He offers more than words in calling us to follow him and claiming ownership of our lives. He gave his all for us. What are you offering him in return?
Jesus spoke to his disciples about his willingness to die for them using the image of a shepherd. A shepherd in Jesus’ day had a flock of about one hundred sheep that he knew by name. At night they slept in a pen that he guarded with his life. He was the “gate”. Any thief or wild animal had to get past him to attack the sheep. He would defend them to the death because they were his flock. Jesus put it like this:
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away.” (John 10:11-12)
In contrast, there were times when a hired servant looked after the flock. They didn’t have the same care or concern for the sheep. They would run away when danger came. They were more concerned about saving their own life than protecting the sheep.
The Christian faith reminds us that God knows us by name. It also teaches that we have been made by God and belong to God. As a result we are “his”, like the shepherd’s sheep. Even when we get lost and stray away he comes looking for us. (Luke 15:1-7) His commitment is not half-hearted or self-serving. It is passionate, total and self-giving. Jesus confirmed his words by his actions. As “the good shepherd” he laid down his life for us.
Like sheep we are often unaware of the dangers we face, from our ignorance of God or our disobedience. We may be tempted to dismiss the idea of being “saved” by Jesus as unnecessary. While life is going well we feel self-sufficient. When things go wrong we may wonder why God didn’t help us.
Alternatively, we may trust or follow a variety of “hired hands”. These are friends, gurus, philosophers, pop stars and other hero figures. They may have limited or no commitment to us. They accept our friendship, money and adoration but move on when it suits them. When pressure, danger and difficulties come our way they are gone.
Jesus’ death on the cross demonstrates his commitment to us. His resurrection from the dead confirms his claim to be God and His promise to be with us always. (Matthew 28:19-20) He offers more than words in calling us to follow him and claiming ownership of our lives. He gave his all for us. What are you offering him in return?
posted by Peter Wilson at 3:22 PM
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