-- John 10:11
10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to 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 authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
-- John 10:1-8
One of the most tender images of Jesus is one He supplied when referring to Himself as the Good Shepherd. This name reminds us both of our own vulnerability and Jesus' watchful, protecting care. It evokes a sense of belonging, intimacy, and trust, revealing the Good Shepherd as the One who lays down His life for His sheep. When we pray to the Good Shepherd, we are admitting our need for His care and our confidence in His ability to watch over and protect us.
The Bible uses many metaphors to describe God's people - a temple, a body, a bride, a garden, a vineyard, or a flock of sheep. Shepherding, in fact, was an important job, practiced by Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and David. Also, the first people that got to hear about the Good News of Jesus' birth were shepherds. The role of the shepherd was to provide three things for the flock in his or her care: food, protection and guidance.
Out of love for His wandering, lost people, God promises to become their Shepherd. Isaiah 40:11 gives us a wonderful image of God as our Shepherd:
He feeds His flock like a shepherd;
He gathers the lambs in His arms;
and carries them close to His heart;
He gently lead those that have young.
Discuss: How does God’s name of Shepherd emphasize his nature as protector?
Prayer: You can pray Psalm 23 together
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, 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.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
Songs: Adore by Kari Jobe, The First Noel
Ornament: http://www.biblestoryprintables.com/BibleCraftsChristmasNamesJesus.html#.VmbJuNA-C8q
Craft: Begin to set up a nativity scene. Put in Mary, Joseph, shepherds and lambs thus far.
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