For my first entry in this new monthly post on the names of God, I wanted to focus on God’s goodness. The fact that God is good has been big in my mind lately. While John 10:11 contains the
words of Jesus speaking about Himself and calling Himself The Good Shepherd, Jesus also said in Mark 10:18 that “No one is good—except God alone.” Thus, Jesus was making the claim that He is God – God is good, Jesus is good, Jesus is The Good Shepherd.
What is so important about God being good and Jesus being The Good Shepherd?
Sheep were important in the lives of the people of Jesus’ day. Good shepherds provided food and protection for their flock. They could identify each sheep by name. When a sheep tried to wander from the fold, the shepherd would use his staff to nudge it back to the safety of the fold. If a sheep got lost, the shepherd searched until he had found and returned it to the flock. If necessary, a good shepherd would even die to protect his sheep.
In John 10:11 Jesus tells us, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." Jesus is our Good Shepherd. He feeds and protects us. He knows each one of us by name. When we try wander from the safety of His fold, He nudges us to direct us back to safety.
To Jesus, anyone who has not accepted Him as Savior is like a lost sheep, wandering on its own, oblivious to the dangers around it. Jesus is always looking for those lost sheep. When He finds one He rescues it and places it safely in His sheepfold.
Our Good Shepherd made the greatest sacrifice a shepherd can make. He died for us.
As a result of our Shepherd's sacrifice we have been restored to His flock. He has healed us of our spiritual wounds. He feeds us, physically and spiritually. He sustains us. He knows each one of us by name and He loves us without condition or exception.
Have you accepted Jesus as Savior?
If so, you are already safe in Jesus’ sheepfold.
If not, you are a lost sheep. Let the Good Shepherd put you safely in His fold.
"Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture." Psalm 100:3
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