John 10:10-15, I Am the Good Shepherd

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

In this section Jesus speaks of the blessings he, the good shepherd, brings and how those blessings are won by him for his sheep. The blessing he brings us is abundant life in his presence. We catch a glimpse of abundant life in human history in the Garden in Eden and see a vision of it in Revelation where the heavenly Jerusalem comes down from heaven so that the dwelling of God can be with his people. We were created to live in the presence of the good shepherd. In him we have good pasture. We do not have good pasture in the protective enclosure but in the good shepherd himself.

The way we receive these blessings is through the laid-down life of Jesus on the cross. The good shepherd will suffer for his sheep. With his sheep in danger, the good shepherd lays down his life for them. In the Gospel of John, Jesus sees the cross as his destiny and the providential salvific act of his life. It defines who he will be as Messiah and the true Savior of God’s people.

Make a list today of the blessings Jesus brings to your life as your good shepherd, and then give him thanks.