HOST: Ron House
SPONSOR: Start2Finish
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
What is the difference between an owner and a hired hand? An unconscientious hired hand only cares about getting the job done and receiving his pay. The owner, on the other hand, cares about that which he owns. He is invested. He is interested in the well- being of his property and is willing to go the extra mile to make sure that it is protected and cared for. Jesus uses this analogy to help us understand His relationship with His sheep. He is not a hireling— one who has no real concern for the well-being of the sheep and is unwilling to sacrifice for them. Rather, as the owner of the sheep, He knows them by name, cares for them, and has indeed given His life for them. It is sad that so many people in the world see Christ as an unsympathetic, impersonal, heavy-handed Lord who makes unreasonable demands of His followers and has little or no personal interest in their salvation. He is, in fact, the good shepherd. His love and concern for us, His sheep, is great and overwhelming. What a privilege it is to be able to give our lives to a Lord who has already given Himself for us!
Why do you think Jesus cares so much for us?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!
