knowing the shepherd

Have you ever spent much time thinking about sheep and those who care for them?  Sheep are not the smartest of animals, but what a cool relationship that they have with their shepherd.  Jesus called us sheep, and there are some similarities between you and me and sheep.  Enough said.

Jesus said when he saw people hurting:

Matthew 9:36 NLT

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

David said this about himself and his relationship with God:

Psalm 23:1 NLT

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

This week and even last weekend I have spent some time thinking about this deal of what a shepherd does for us.  Margaret Feinberg in her book "Scouting the Divine" she describes this relationship in living color.  Her description stole my heart and has allowed me to say the same thing that David said ... God is my shepherd.

Looking through John 10 will open our eyes to who Jesus is as our shepherd.  The rest of today's devotion will simply be highlights from what Jesus says the Good Shepherd is about.

John 10:4,9-11,14  NLT

After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice… 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. 11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep… 14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 

NOTE: This was first shared in May of 2011 and remains true today.