ADVENT BLOG Named by God - I am the good shepherd

“I am the good shepherd;  I know my sheep and my sheep know me . . .”
(John 10:14))

Those who have heard me on a Sunday or at other times will know that I love to use stories as illustrations.  There are times when I will say, “you may have heard this before, but . . .”  If it is worth sharing again that’s exactly what I will do, use a familiar story once again.  Repetition is a great tool in getting a message across - from telling a story or, within an address, underlining a point by repeating it.  Here is a repetition of a previous statement.  It is a statement that was sure to annoy others because Jesus, in repeating himself, is contrasting his own leadership with that of the religious elite of the day.

Time after time in the Gospels we hear Jesus being critical of those whose job it was to care for the spiritual needs of the people of God.  Their leadership was not one that would ever set people free, but do the opposite, and that was to hold them back.  Many of them were there to feather their own nests and boost their own egos.  Here, using the image of a shepherd, we see something quite different when it comes to Jesus.

As a shepherd he came into the stark reality of a world where it is easy to get lost, and he continues to come to rescue, to carry his people safely home.  He came into a dangerous world and continues to come to protect us.  He came into a tiresome world and continues to come to give us the rest that we need when we grow tired and weary.  He came into our world and our lives to lie down as the gate to keep dangers out and stop our wandering because he cares.

Jesus stepped out of his comfort zone as he left all the glory of heaven to be with us and be there for us.  As a shepherd knows his sheep Jesus knows all there is to know about us because he is that very Shepherd King, the King of Love.

What are the dangers you have faced or are facing?  What are the pulls that have drawn you further and further away from God?  What does it mean to know Christ as your shepherd looking out for you?

The King of love my shepherd is, 
whose goodness faileth never. 
I nothing lack if I am his, 
and he is mine forever.
Where streams of living water flow, 
my ransomed soul he leadeth; 
and where the verdant pastures grow, 
with food celestial feedeth.
Perverse and foolish, oft I strayed, 
but yet in love he sought me; 
and on his shoulder gently laid, 
and home, rejoicing, brought me.
AMEN.