This summer, my family decided to host a petting zoo for my niece and nephew’s joint birthday party. Our entire crew rarely gets to celebrate together, so we all chipped in for what we hoped would be a good old-fashioned family memory.
We kept the petting zoo a surprise. Uncle Dave closed the blinds so the kids wouldn’t see the truck pulling into my parents’ driveway, complete with a trailer hitch full of animals. After setting up a small octagon made of portable fencing, the petting zoo operator began to unload the animals from the truck one by one. We all walked outside, and as predicted, the kids lost their minds. There was a cow, a goat, a donkey, an alpaca, and at last, a white wooly sheep. The sheep was not on a lead, and upon seeing the crowd of screaming children, turned and bolted down the street. Chaos ensued—picture half a dozen grown adults chasing a scared animal through a residential neighborhood. The petting zoo guy looked bored and a bit annoyed. Not with the animal, but with us. Once we calmed down, he easily called the sheep back to his side and into the makeshift corral. The sheep was not to blame. Terrified, it had done what its instincts led it to do. The problem was, the sheep’s instincts only sent it further into danger.
Oh, how I am like that sheep.
In John 10, Jesus gently paints a picture for his disciples of what it means to be led by the Good Shepherd. He is not bored or annoyed with His work, guiding helpless creatures to safety. He is wholly invested, ready to lay down His life if danger presents itself. He is not running after us with anxiety, but He calls us to His side with the distinct, loving timbre of His voice. He is the doorway and the one leading us through it. He protects us, keeps us in, and feeds us, leading us out. The picture He paints is not a scene of confusion but of peace. The scripture says He knows us by name (John 10:3) and that He doesn’t run away when there is danger, but steps in front, shielding us and taking every blow.
Many people today do not live in an agrarian society. I do not know the intimate details of caring for skittish sheep. I rarely have a chance to witness firsthand how a sheep’s instincts can lead it astray. But I know my own heart. I know how seductive the world can be. I know that my warped instincts often lead me further into the heart of sin when all I want is to hear the Lord’s voice.
Today, I pray that we will slow down and listen for the still, calm sound of our Shepherd’s voice. That we will turn away from the chaos of the world and look deep into the steady gaze of His Word. Jesus Himself tells us the truth: He knows us by name, He leads us and guides us, and He lays down His life and takes it back up. To this, some said, “He’s crazy” (v.20). But to those who know their own hearts and who long for a Good Shepherd, these words are the very source of life.
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68 thoughts on "The Good Shepherd"
Oh I needed this word today. I am grateful for the reminder that the Lord is ahead of my path and that he will protect me and call me back when I walk of my path. Thank you Lord for your word and love.
I am blessed to have such a forgiving Shepard.
Lord we thank you lord and you are good
Amen! Definitely needed this. I have a 5yo son who is on the spectrum. Being the mother to a child with special needs has proven to be extremely difficult and it has challenges me in many ways but if it weren’t for my faith in the Lord, I wouldn’t be half the mother I am today. He has gifted me patience and grace to get through the toughest times and for that I am eternally grateful.
May I always follow the good shepherd
Amen
I need to be a listening sheep!
I needed this today… He calls us to
Help me Lord to always hear your voice.
Amen
Me, as, well! I love the story and the illumination given to the Father who sent Him. Glory to God always and I believe He calls me by name. I’m so glad He is our Sheppard!
Hallelujah, Amen!
My church has been studying John together for the last year or so. I have learned quite a bit about sheep through it. Sheep, apparently, are completely helpless and dependent upon their shepherd. They will wander off into danger if not contained. Even if there are multiple flocks in one enclosure, the sheep from each flock can recognize the voice of THEIR shepherd (I thought that little nugget was pretty cool). We humans are definitely like those sheep. We do not know what is best for ourselves, even if we like to think we do, and we cannot do anything apart from God, our Shepherd.
Maricella and others with older / grown kids praying for you. Brooke P , my sister so good to see your post and I hope your appointment went well.
I posted about this same issue maybe 1-2 weeks ago. I deleted my accounts on Monday and decided to send out a monthly email newsletter to some family and friends sharing pictures and life updates —- so I still have the ability to share and stay connected with a few but removed the anxiety, ads, and darkness of SM. It’s a hard decision, but I hope it’ll be fruitful as others on this app who are further in their journey have shared. Good luck with your decision ❤️
Loved the devotional today. Read this and then the Psalm 139 in my own reading for today. So calming. Stop and listen for the voice of the Shepherd. Thank you Lord for your calming voice.
I usually wonder why the Scriptures would use the sheep to compare us to, besides the fact that culturally sheep were common cattle in Israel. Sheep, to me, are gullible, defenseless and innocent and they specifically can pick up the voice of their shepherd like no others. Yet, the Bible also told us to be shrewd/wise as a snake and innocent as doves. This is a multifaceted character that the Bible calls God’s children to develop. Being shrewd here is clearly not to manipulate/trick/deceive like a snake, but being clever, wise, extra calculated in our steps, discerning to the smallest details, cautious to analyze and prepare. Someone used to share with me that a snake will study his prey for 6 hours before attacking. That is some real effort and patience that a snake has I’d say.
Lana – this is my heart prayer as well
“But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”- John 10: 26-29
He greater than all… sin, death, hell, demons, men, sickness, all…. everything!!!!
Praise the Lord!
Jesus is our true shepherd! If we follow anyone else.. we will be misled! Let’s give our hearts to Jesus only! Let’s be on fire for Him
What caught my attention was in the Scripture starting with verse 25 of John: “25 Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. 26 But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can SNATCH them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and He is more powerful than anyone else. No one can SNATCH them from the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”” (Emphasis is mine) We cannot be “SNATHCED AWAY” from the LORD!! WOW!! I have been, am and always will be in the HANDS of the LORD no matter what I do and how many times I ask for forgiveness, I’m ALWAYS ONE of the LORD’S SHEEP and HE WILL ALWAYS BE MY SHEPHERD!!! To which I say HALLELUAH AND AMEN!!!!
Sisters be blessed and remember YOU WILL ALWAYS BE ONE OF HIS SHEEP!!!
Oh, how I am like that sheep also. Also, I am that anxious adult running after the sheep. I love how she describes that vivid picture of how Jesus doesn’t run us down in an anxious sprint. He calls us to His side with His distinct, loving voice. ❤️
Such rich beauty in scripture today. The podcast has really illuminating conversation on todays reading too so I highly recommend listening to that episode! Victoria E. Thank you so much for your prayers, seeing this lifts my spirit and I feel such a kinship. Kelly Neo, thank you so much for your prayers, and others who are praying for us, thank you!!!! I am SO thankful. My prayers are with you all as well. Jennifer Loves Jesus, I too felt similar to you on the social media topic, it increased all things negative within myself including taking up mental space, distracting me from being able to focus on my Bible studies, my life, my marriage, and all the good blessings from the Lord. I deleted all social media 3 years ago almost and i have never felt more free & present. I cannot recommend getting off social media enough. It truly changed my life (and I do not say that lightly). I had to break the habit, break the thinking cycle, break down the flow that is demanded from social media of me & establish rhythms of slow living and peaceful thoughts in the presence of the Lord. My friends and family still think I’m a weirdo for it, but my life has never been so full. Truly, it is a decision I am so thankful I fought through and broke the habit of, God has helped me heal and grow so much since being off it. Again, I can’t recommend it enough!
What a blessing to me this morning! I know the Lord protects me and guides me through the day. What do I have to fear?!
Good morning SHES I don’t comment but I read and pray for all of you… today I step out in boldness …believing that the Good Shepherd has the plans for my adult son in His hands. Believing nobody can snatch him out. Trusting that he will hear his voice and know. I was a young mom and was eager to have my children grow up and gain independence… turns out as they grow up and gain independence they also gain the struggles of life they wonder and lose sight . I cannot fix their situations I can only steward them and trust and know the gate is open lead
Great reading, devotional, and discussion as usual. So thankful for this resource and community. I am a total sheep, I can’t even deny it but I am thankful for our Good Shepherd. Jennifer loves Jesus and others who have posted about wanting to leave social media- I essentially got off it a year ago when, facing a diagnosis of infertility pictures of my friends and acquaintances babies (funny how they alll show up when you’re in your early- mid 30s!) would just send me into despondency. That combined with targeted ads for unproven fertility treatments was too much for me. I don’t miss it at all. Even now that God has healed me from that diagnosis I find it has lost its appeal. Brooke P- praying for your appointment today. Angie, praise God for that provision, He does care about the details of our lives! Allison Mitchell, happy to see you here again today. Love you all !
Good morning SHES I don’t comment but I read and pray for all of you… today I step out in boldness …believing that the Good Shepherd has the plans for my adult son in his
Dear sisters, last summer I was visiting my daughter in WY and her church was having their annual camping retreat up in the Big Horn mountains. On the first morning as I walked the area I could hear sounds coming from afar and as I looked out in the fields there were thousands of sheep. I stood in awe and then noticed the shepherd walking in the midst and as he walked they followed. Psalm 23 came immediately to mind and it did make we cry. Let us always walk with our Good Shepherd giving thanks.
Jesus could have just said I am the Shepherd. But he calls himself the GOOD Shepherd. He is good and kind, even though we may not always understand this in the moment. In Psalm 23 it said “I have all that I need.” If we trust Christ to be our GOOD shepherd then we can trust that he will provide all we need. And he will continue to guide us along the way. Today I’m reflecting on His goodness.
ALLISON MITCHELL – I missed seeing your post and went back to read it. WELCOME and thank you for sharing your heart. I am currently doing ‘Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament by Lisa TerKeurst and Joel Muddemalle. You can find videos on YouTube to check out and see if it would be helpful for you. I think it would answer a lot of your questions! I hope you read my post below, too. Be blessed and thank you for blessing us!
I appreciate how the naysayers knew the teachings of old, but they were completely blind to the signs like the one in Micah and all the others in the books of the Old Testament fore-telling of Jesus. They focused on the law and totally missed the grace!
I remember reading somewhere that the shepherd would lie down in front of the gate for extra security – nothing could get to the sheep without going through him. That also brought to mind laying down his life as it pertains to Jesus. He literally had to lie down on that cross to have the nails pounded in!
What a powerful passage!!! Thanks so much CLAIRE GIBSON for giving me my first chuckle of the day and for following that with your heart stirring devotion!
Labor Day weekend I hurt myself falling off a bike i’ve never been on. For five days I did not know I had a fractured and dislocated ankle. High tolerance for pain is what I was told. Ended up having surgery September 11. This slowed me down completely. No running. No running to and from on errands. Dropping off and picking up my children. Slowed me down completely. Prior to that date I had gotten bitten by a dog while on a 6 mile run. But I didn’t listen back then. TWO, things were happening here. I really feel God was asking me to “slow-down”. God is/was protecting me from potential danger as I know I was being followed. And secondly, as a sole single working mom I needed to “slow down“ to be here more for my children and also rest. What I enjoyed most and still do about slowing down, is my “quiet time“ with Jesus. I crave this time with HIM. HIS WORDS are my very source of life. I cannot do life without my Jesus! He is my everything! I go to him for everything when I have doubts and questions. I never thought I see myself single parenting but I’ve never been alone. It’s His foot prints in the sand that have been walking alongside me all this time and He promises never to leave me. And I believe Him.
Beautiful devotional! Oh, how I’m like that sheep! So true! May Christ reconfigure the neural pathways in my brain that have a tendency to repeat generational traumas. May He be my path.
A great reminder for me to slow down. I have a problem with rushing through things. I’m going to go through my day today and live this Biblical truth.
Thank you Jesus! When I go astray as I do often you are the Good shepherd and you lead me back to your side. Amen Hallelujah!
Good Morning Sisters. In reading John 10 today I was so drawn to Jesus reference to Himself as the gate. And maybe I never realized it before, but the words of scriptue that came to me were He goes before you and behind you. And I love this in the thought of a gate swinging open to lead and let you in and then closing behind you to follow you and keep you safe. Also there is Psalm 139:5 You hem me in behind and before. He surrounds us, walks with us, loves us, even me a sinner, He is the Way, the Gate, the Good Good Shepherd. Such joy for this heart. Hugs and love to your day Sisters, expect miracles, our God is mighty.
“And another sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I will bring…” John 10:16 – I am so thankful that God didn’t stop at His chosen people, but went even further and opened up salvation to all who will believe. He made us ONE flock and we have ONE shepherd! We are all ONE in Christ – Hallelujah!
I love this verse— “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,”— and how it speaks to the pure relationship and love that Jesus has with us and us with him.
SHAENA ELIZABETH – I have a 17 year old son as well. I’m finding these teen years to be difficult to parent. I’m always wondering where my kids hearts are at. I will be praying for you and your son. I can totally relate to the struggle of worry and trusting God. God has your son and I pray he sees the Lord’s love for him and makes faith in Jesus his very own!
Many years ago, my husband and I went to a Mennonite bed-and-breakfast in Lancaster Pennsylvania. They had sheep! As we went up to look at them the sheep all turned as one looked at us and completely bolted to the other side of the farm!
Lord, thank you for your voice. Thank you for leading us and thank you for giving us eternal life. To God be the glory!
Shepherd me Lord Jesus. Social media has become a thief. Something that seemed good for building relationships and community steals joy and trades for envy and wasted time. It takes a strong will to listen and follow Jesus there. I would find myself looking for Christian inspiration and would share and post what I thought would inspire others. But the voice of voyeurism drew me into cynicism and judgmental thoughts always followed. When I talk about leaving the scrolling society I get silence or reasoning for why people stay in. My prayer is that I would be a peaceful voice of one calling like John, to help others follow Jesus away from the anxiety of the scrolling screens. I know God met us where we were through Jesus, and He still meets us right here. We need You Lord, draw us into Your flock and help us follow Your voice. Amen.
Lord, please help me follow Your will like Jesus does. Allow me to hear Your voice & follow You. Thank you Jesus for being such a good shepherd. Amen.
He is the door…beautiful
Wow. Just. Wow. How He loves us. Have a blessed day, she’s!
Loved this devotional. What a good reminder that we, like sheep, can get overwhelmed when the voice of the stranger(things of this world) is the loudest and catches our attention. If we can remember to hold tight to our spiritual disciplines when the strangers voice rages we will be able to tune into the voice of our Good Shepherd more easily so we are not scattered ❤️ my 17 year old son is struggling emotionally and has fallen away from faith. I know I need to surrender this to God but that is much easier said than done. This passage brings comfort as it is a great reminder that no one can snatch one of God’s children out of His hand. I just need to listen to God’s voice repeat this to me rather than let my worry and circumstances overtake me. I can stand with confidence knowing God is in control and his will will be done…..I just need to cling to faith during the dark times. Praying for you today she’s ❤️
The word sheep has been given a negative connotation over the past several years. Yet, we are all like sheep. We are all wandering around aimlessly until we hear the voice of our shephard. We just need to be sure that the voice we are listening to and following is Jesus and not the world.
Loved this devotional. What a good reminder that we, like sheep, can get overwhelmed when the voice of the stranger(things of this world) is the loudest and catches our attention. If we can remember to hold tight to our spiritual disciplines when the strangers voice rages we will be able to tune into the voice of our Good Shepherd more easily so we are not scattered ❤️ my 17 year old son is struggling emotionally and has fallen away from faith. I know I need to surrender this to God but that is much easier said than done. This passage brings comfort as it is a great reminder that no one can snatch one of God’s children out of His hand. I just need to listen to God’s voice repeat this to me rather than let my worry and circumstances overtake me. I can stand with confidence knowing God is in control and his will will be done…..I just need to cling to faith during the dark times.
How comforting that Jesus is my Good Shepherd- He knows my name, He protects me, He cares for me. I also found comfort in verse 9 where Jesus says, “I am the gate. If ANYONE enters Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.” I, a Gentile, have salvation because Christ came for ANYONE that believes in Him. He is the only “gate” that leads us to eternal life with God, forgiveness of sins, peace in all things and for that I am so thankful.
Thank you Jesus, my Shepherd, that with your rod and staff you comfort me. Amen
First, thank you SO MUCH Jo, Brooke, and Victoria (and anyone else I missed!) for your kind replies and prayers yesterday. I’m so happy to be here. Today’s reading brought me so much peace. I’m praying for all of you to feel the Lord’s calming presence today and everyday.
Such peace-giving words this morning! So thankful we have the BEST Shepherd who fights for us, seeks after us, leaves the 99 for us, keeps us safe, provides for our every need. Sitting in awe of my Savior this morning <3 Praying I fix my eyes on Him above all the other noise in this world
Today I needed the reference to Psalm 23. We walk through life besides waters that seem so loud and chaotic, but then the peace that comes over us in knowing that we have this good Shepherd who takes care of us and leads us by those quiet waters just makes this peace come over my soul as I try to rest in those words. Bless the hymn writers who put that psalm to music, for that is running through my mind today as well.
Such truth, beauty, and presence of peace in today’s verses of our good Shepherd.
Thank you Jesus for being our good Shepherd. Thank you for being the gate, and that there is a place to safely pass in and out of under your care. Thank you for giving your sheep, us, ears that know your voice. When I am afraid, You drown out the other chaotic noises around me, and help me focus on the sound of the Good Shepherd’s call.
He Reads Truth is so powerful for the men or growing-into-men in our lives, if you have time to check it out.
Finally, yesterday was going to be a full day. Work (we have LOTS of sickness at school, and testing, which either thing alone makes for lots of extra everything), getting to watch the grands for a little bit after school, leading my first Zoom call for BSF as one of our group got Covid after meeting, and…a TV was supposed to be delivered (since ours is not working right) sometime during the day (in freezing cold Indiana weather) to our front porch. For a few days prior I had been laying down the stress of how I was going to get away from school to come home and bring the TV inside, once it was delivered. I didn’t have an answer, but I was taking it one step at a time. I had just finished my SRT and was having my cuddle time with God yesterday, when I heard this truck noise out front (at 6:30 am). I got to the front door just as the truck, delivering the TV was pulling out of the driveway. It had been delivered before I even left for school. I was able to bring it in. I literally cried tears of joy, thanking Jesus for loving me so much that He took care of this little detail. He took that off-my-plate for the day so to speak. My Good Shepherd, lovingly caring for me even in the little details. I just wanted to share and publicly say, “Thank you Jesus.” You are always, always, so good.
What a good, loving, kind, merciful Shepard we have. Praise God!
41 and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” 42 And in that place many believed in Jesus. – John 10:41-42. AMEN!!! This is so comforting to hear. We are called to be John’s – called to SHARE Jesus with our brothers and sisters and LET GOD do the rest. He will make the connections to bring sinners to hHim- We just have to continue to draw near and share!!
Whenever I read about Jesus being our Shepard, it is always calming. How simple it would be to live in a green pasture knowing the person taking care of you will do anything for you and give you everything you need – oh wait. We have that! But unlike the Jews, we have to see that Jesus has already plainly laid it out for us. We have to trust in the Holy Spirit to guide us into the right direction and willingly follow.
John 10 is one of my favorite chapters. The visual of the Good Shepherd, guarding and protecting His sheep, is powerful and comforting. Jesus is clear about Who He is. Each person who encounters Him must make a decision to believe or not. Those who had an abundance of knowledge of the Scriptures struggled the most with His identity and the works that He did. They had made the Law and their regulations their god and thereby missed the one true God right in front of them. How many still choose religion over relationship? Do we talk more about our church than we do of our Savior?
Let us all come to his voice!
Tina, what you wrote about thinking of the amazing act of love that Jesus would lay down His life. I want to always e undone when I think of this. People are fickle, they change, don’t keep promises, lie, and disappointment. But Jesus never leaves us or changes. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8.
Ana, in the podcast this week refers to Mary pouting out the precious, priceless perfume May we be so moved that will live poured out lives! (I’m paraphrasing! Please listen to her exact words! Beautiful!
ALLISON MITCHELL – Welcome! To the family of God and to SRT. Praying for your faith to strengthen, not so that you will be saved (the “saved” have recognized that we are sinners and need salvation that only comes through our belief in Christ, His sacrifice and resurrection, which by your testimony you have accepted this amazing gift, “knowing in my heart that Jesus is my Savior”) but so that you draw closer to Christ, understand more of God’s love for us and what it is to walk with Him daily. You are in good company here – none of us have all the answers, we are all broken in some way or another, and we all need Jesus. We are all learning more about our Savior every day as we continue to walk with Him, sharing and praying with each other. So glad you’re with us!
John3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Romans 10:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
He is the good shepherd. Love that!
ALLISON MITCHELL – Listen to what Jesus ssays to you, “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
Since the Garden Satan whispers in our ear, “Did God say…?” and we can with confidence say, “Yes, I am His for eternity!”
K SWENSON – praying that you will have wisdom an peace in your next steps of treatment.
BROOKE P – praying for your appt.
Amen
You are my Shepherd. You never let me go even in the valley of the shadow of death, I don’t have to fear danger, for You are with me. You renew my life and bring me to green pastures. You know me just as the Father knows You. You lay down Your life for me. No one can ever snatch me out of Your hand. My heart needed to hear this today.
Angie – Thank you for asking. I decided to sign up but I haven’t been doing much preparations yet. Some other things have showed up in my life, and it’s kind of stressful now. But I won’t leave until May so thankfully I’ve a while to sort things out.
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. – John 10:10
What a wonderful promise to live out!
A salve for my heart this morning, thank you Claire Gibson.
A beautiful reminder to run to Him not away, when life is a panic, and feels overwhelming!
He is the Good shepherd. The One who knows and calls me by name. I am no stranger to Him. He would, and did, lay down His life for me, tears as I think deep about another giving their precious life for me..ME!
What can I bring, what can I say..
The last verse from the hymn..In the bleak mid winter, came to mind..
What can I give him?
Poor as I am
If I were a shepherd
I would give a lamb
If I were a wise man
I would do my part
But what I can I give him
Give him my heart
Give him my heart..
I will give my heart.
I WILL GIVE MY HEART.
Thank you Jesus, that you are the faithful Good shepherd, that protects, comforts, watches over with love, grace and brings Hope to us. Thank you that when I walk with you, I know safety, I know love, I know grace, and no matter what I may be running from or to, I know and have Hope in You, and that will always, ALWAYS bring me home!
Thank you Jesus. Thank you with all my heart..
BUT GOD..
AMEN.
Happy Wednesday, dear hearts, wrapped in love, prayers and hope for a God blessed day!❤
My father-in-law was a pastor, as well as a teacher of theology in a seminary. When he died, my husband gave one of the best tributes I’ve ever heard at a funeral. He used text from today’s scripture reading. “John never did a sign, but everything John said about this man was true.” He inserted his dad’s name for John’s. It’s a sweet memory for me, and I’m sure my father-in-law would have been pleased.
Thank you Claire, for the analogy you have painted here, it made me smile but then went deep in my heart. I too am often like that panicked sheep when all I should be doing is listening for that familiar voice! I am struck again by the thread that is running through all of these accounts, that there was no chaos around Jesus as He knew that He was just doing the work of His Father. Just calm assurance. Laying down His life for us in obedience to the Father. So that we believe and trust. It stills my heart and draws me closer to Him. Thank you