Daily Devotional

-December 6, 2020-

Good morning happy Lord’s Day,

-The Good Shepherd Laid Down His Life for Us – He Knows Us And We Know Him-

“I am the Good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the the sheep.”

(John 10:14-15).

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd whom the Father sent to die for us the flock. He not only died for us, He loves us and cares for us. Just as He knows the Father, and the Father knows Him, He knows us and we know Him. Though Our Shepherd has many sheep, He intimately knows us by name and everything about us.

Our Good Shepherd willing chose to lay down His life for us on the cross, dying in our place so that through faith in Him and His finished work, we have forgiveness of sins, salvation, and eternal life. We are His people the sheep of His pasture. He said in John 10:17-18, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life than I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

Our Good Shepherd has gathered all His sheep into one flock, Jews and Gentiles. This is why He said in John 10:16, “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will one flock and one Shepherd.” This includes us coming to Christ later in history. All are saved by the blood of Christ.

A shepherd loves and cares for his sheep; he knows each by name, their needs, their strengths and weaknesses, and tendencies for wandering. There are many predators out to get the sheep, therefore the shepherd must be on guard constantly to protect them. He must also feed them and care for them.

The Lord Jesus lost none of His disciples except Judas, the son of perdition, the traitor who betrayed Him. He is not only the Good Shepherd who laid down His life, but He is also the Great Shepherd, who made an eternal covenant through His blood (See Hebrews 13:20). He is also called the Chief Shepherd who will appear and give us the crown of glory that does not fade away (See 1 Peter 5:4).

We should take great comfort, encouragement, and joy knowing that our Shepherd is with us, caring for us, protecting us, and feeding us. He loves us so much. He knows our fears, anxieties, and concerns. He tells us in Matthew 28:20, …lo, I am with you always, even to the end of age.”

Have a blessed day under the care of our Shepherd. Stay safe and healthy in His fold.

Dean