A Better Shepherd
Scripture – John 10:11-16: “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. Then 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 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.
Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) This is a powerful image. Jesus is “the good shepherd.” (I know there’s a movie out by that name right now. I’m pretty sure it’s not quite the same as this image.) The “hired hand” does not feel any ownership of the sheep in his care. So when danger or trouble comes, he leaves – looking out for himself. The good shepherd stays – even to the point of giving up His life for the sheep. Being a pastor (which means “shepherd”) I have to wonder where I am on the spectrum between “hired hand” and “good shepherd.” How much do I still live for myself instead of others?
Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I will intentionally look beyond myself today. I have several things on my agenda – jobs I want to get done. I will let people take precedence over those things.
Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Thank you, Lord, for giving your life for me. Forgive me for looking within so much. Teach me to see through your eyes and heart today. If not entirely “good,” please make me a better shepherd this day.
An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, join us at Bethel Baptist (Trenton & Venness in Southgate) this Sunday morning, 9:45 – 10:30am.
Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) This is a powerful image. Jesus is “the good shepherd.” (I know there’s a movie out by that name right now. I’m pretty sure it’s not quite the same as this image.) The “hired hand” does not feel any ownership of the sheep in his care. So when danger or trouble comes, he leaves – looking out for himself. The good shepherd stays – even to the point of giving up His life for the sheep. Being a pastor (which means “shepherd”) I have to wonder where I am on the spectrum between “hired hand” and “good shepherd.” How much do I still live for myself instead of others?
Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I will intentionally look beyond myself today. I have several things on my agenda – jobs I want to get done. I will let people take precedence over those things.
Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Thank you, Lord, for giving your life for me. Forgive me for looking within so much. Teach me to see through your eyes and heart today. If not entirely “good,” please make me a better shepherd this day.
An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, join us at Bethel Baptist (Trenton & Venness in Southgate) this Sunday morning, 9:45 – 10:30am.
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