Daily Bread

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Jesus is the Good Shepherd

Date: May. 4, 2024

Passage

John 10:11-21

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 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. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 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. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

19 There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

Key Verse: John 10:11

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

This passage shows us that a hired hand of the sheep works in order to get paid. However, when the time of adversity comes, they abandon the sheep. They do not have a shepherd heart and are not willing to risk their lives for the sheep.

Jesus is the good shepherd because he lays down his life for his sheep. He sacrifices his own life for sinful, weak, and rebellious sheep. He is the good shepherd because he knows each of them and cares for them with a shepherd heart. His sheep know their shepherd and listen to his voice. He is the good shepherd because he also cares for those outside the pen. Jesus offers himself as the Savior of the world and has concern for lost souls. God loves his Son who willingly laid down his life in obedience to God. He is the giver of eternal life for his sheep. Furthermore, Jesus has the authority to rise again from the dead.

Jesus’ sheep know that he is the good shepherd who laid down his life voluntarily and rose again from the dead to give them eternal life. They listen to his voice, trust his words, and follow him to the end.

Prayer: Lord, you are my good shepherd. Help me to be a good sheep to you. Grow me as a good shepherd like you.

One Word: Jesus, the good shepherd

The Wise and Faithful Servant

Matthew 24:32-51

Key Verse: 24:45

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?

Today's Question