This week we continue our series of chapters to read when things get tough in this life. John 10: 1-7…:“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! 2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 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. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice. 6 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant,  7 so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. (NLT)

Jesus has often been referred to as the Good Shepherd, thus becoming a picture woven into the language and imagery of the Bible. Let’s do a quick walk through. The one thing that stands out is that this chapter presents Jesus as The Good Shepherd. Can’t say it enough or write it because of the message it sends to us… Jesus is unwilling to lose any of us. John 10:16:  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. (NLT) In verses John 10: 28-29 we see the security of salvation in Christ and the comfort of the Father. Christ is truly God… John 10:30 “The Father and I are one.” Reading in John 10: 3-5 “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. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”(NLT) Jesus knows us and we know him. Perhaps the most comforting thing we read in this chapter can be found in verse 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.” (NIV) Of course another verse we all know from John…10:15  just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. (NLT)

Consider these as being the marks, qualities, and duties of a good pastor.

-he is led by the Spirit…lives and works for the good of the church…the salvation of souls…sacrificing himself entirely to the will of God.

-the second mark of a true minister-his labour is crowned with success.

-A third mark of a good shepherd is that he speaks so as to instruct the people –

-A fourth mark of a good pastor is that he knows his flock; he knows them by name and their needs.

-We might say that Jesus was in many ways the “First Pastor” and as in this day continues to lead us away from danger… He does so by maintaining the those gentle yet powerful persuasions that flow from a heart full of the word and love of Christ, into the kingdom and glory of his God.

More, much more could be added but the important message is that even in times of uncertainty, fear and pain, we have a Good Shepherd to protect us, guide us… We, God’s children are His sheep and we are never alone.

Life is Good

jk