Image from sfodan.wordpress.com
Listen to our devotional here: https://bit.ly/3mZDpUf
11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care 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. 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father." (John 10: 11-18 NRSV)
Happy Monday! May the God of all blessings, bless you, ConCafe Family and you, dear Friend is my prayer.
Here we have it, from the Master's lips, His declaration about Who He truly is. Jesus was not one to claim to be king, or even the Son of God; His was a mission of love from God to God's people, and here in ways that the common person of the day could easily and readily identify, He declares, "I am the good shepherd." And as a good shepherd, He shares how He would lay His life down His life for us, the sheep. And being our shepherd, He is not like a hired hand; He will not run away at the first sign of danger, especially from wolves (the most likely danger of sheep in His day and region); and like a good shepherd, He knows us and we know Him. We know the importance of knowing God's voice, and not only knowing it, but listening to it.
And Jesus knew, as He said these words, how his mission here would end, and that was through His death, but He plainly says at out of that great love, He would willingly give His life for you and me. We also know that Jesus had the choice and the power to have said no, but He didn't. Jesus was under His Father's command, and He was faithful to God.
Please go through this day with these words of our Lord in your heart, mind, and spirit; Jesus loves you and is with you. As our good shepherd remember the words of the 23rd Psalm; He leads us to the right places at the right time; He cares for us and provides for us. We cannot go wrong with all the Lord does for us!
PRAYER: Loving God, we thank You for Your faithfulness, and the way You guide and provide. May we never take You or Your love for granted. Help us to insprire others to join You on this awesome adventure called life in faith. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be a good little lamb today!
Receive my love and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
