The Good Shepherd

The seven “I AM” statements that Jesus make are powerful.
I Am the Bread of Life.
I Am the Light of the World.
I Am the Door.
I Am the Good Shepherd.
I Am the Resurrection and the Life.
I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
I am the Vine.

In John 10:11 Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

As I have spent time studying this particular “I Am” statement I have come to a deep conviction about the love that Jesus has for us.

A Shepherd has more value than the sheep that he governs. A Shepherd can provide, protect and guide his flock. The shepherd leads the sheep to grassy lands and by streams of water. The shepherd provides the basic necessities for each sheep. The shepherd has value.

The job of a sheep is to follow. He does not have to know where to go. He does not have to protect himself or the rest of the flock. His job is to know the voice of the shepherd and to follow.

If something was to happen to the shepherd the flock would be lost and vulnerable to danger. If something were to happen to one of the sheep the shepherd would mourn the loss of him but the flock would go on. The shepherd is more valuable than one sheep.

So why would the good shepherd lay his life down for his sheep?

Why did Jesus willing choose to lay His life down for me? Why would Jesus, take on human form, and die on the cross for me? I am a sheep. I have and will again screw up, make mistakes, and let the Him down. I am the sheep that will get lost over and over again. At times, I do not even know His voice. My life is insignificant compared to His and yet, he willingly chose to lay it down for me and you.

The simple answer: Jesus loves me.

I am reminded that although I am imperfect Jesus loves. And the childhood songs floods back to my memory as tears roll down my cheeks, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so.”

I am thankful that you and I have nothing to do with earning His love. We would never be good enough to be loved by Him if we had to work for it. Jesus is our good shepherd who lays His life down for His sheep.