In this big old world, we often wonder who to follow. We might get caught up in following a favorite pastor. Often the man or woman who led us to Christ holds a special place in our hearts. Well-known Bible teachers captivate us. We watch them on TV, read their books, and listen to their podcasts. Their words speak volumes in our heads every day. If they are genuine, they point us to Jesus.
I never tire of reading John 10: 1-18. This powerful book, penned by the Apostle John under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is filled with inspiration to keep going. In it, Jesus explains to us plainly how we can know who to follow, The Good Shepherd and His Sheep. His words are beautiful and worth sharing during Easter week.
‘I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.’
Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, so he explained it to them: ‘I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 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. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.
I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.
The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.'” {Emphasis mine}
We celebrate Jesus’ sacrifice for us every day, but especially at Easter, we remind ourselves that He gave His life freely. No one took it from Him. He loved us that much. “Amazing love, how can it be? That You, my King. would die for me.” ~ Tomlin, Chris. “You are My King.” 1998. Album – Authentic.
May your heart be filled with the knowledge of how big God’s love is for you. Happy Easter!
If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy A Gate, A Shepherd, And His Sheep
Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash
