Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. The wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know Me—just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not part 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. The reason My Father loves Me is that I lay down My life—only to take it up again. 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.” At these words, the Jews were again divided. Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to Him?” But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
– John 10:11-21
Devotion
Now Jesus refers to Himself as the “Good Shepherd” rather than the “Gate.” Once again, we must keep in mind that the Pharisees were considered the “shepherds” of Israel. It was their calling to guide and protect God’s flock from the dangers of this world. According to Jesus, the Pharisees had become “blind guides.” They had failed to guide and protect God’s people from the evils of this world. Therefore, Jesus refers to Himself as the “Good Shepherd” in stark contrast to the “bad shepherds” who had failed in their calling.
The Big Question
How is the Good Shepherd different from the hired worker? Jesus emphasized one particular thing He would do for His sheep. What is that one thing? What was Jesus predicting would happen to Him? What is the characteristic of intimacy Jesus describes between Himself and the Father, and between Himself and His sheep? How does this language comfort you? What does it mean to “know” Jesus? Have you experienced personal intimacy with Jesus?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.