Jesus, the Shepherd
Scripture Reading — John 10:11-30
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Jesus is the good, the great, and the supreme shepherd of his sheep—and his sheep are all who believe in him. As the good shepherd, he gives his life for the sheep. As the great shepherd, he lives for the sheep. And as the supreme shepherd, he will return for the sheep.
Jesus is unique. There is no other like him. What does his uniqueness consist of? It is that Jesus gave his life for his sheep. He died for his sheep. He shed his blood to redeem them. He poured out his soul in death so that his sheep could live forever.
Jesus suffered cruel thirst so that his sheep could drink the water of life. He was made to be sin so that his sheep could be justified (made right with God). He was made to be a curse so that his sheep could be blessed. He endured God’s wrath so that his sheep could receive God’s grace.
The good shepherd is also the great shepherd, who rose from the dead and lives for his sheep. He lives to intercede for them. He lives to reign over them.
The good and great shepherd is also the supreme shepherd, who will come again, bringing the new heaven and earth, where there will be “no more death or mourning or crying or pain,” and he will live together with his sheep forever (Revelation 21:1-4).
Lord God, you are the true and good shepherd. Nothing can snatch me out of your hand. Thank you for your faithful care. I praise you! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — Hernandes Lopes
Rev. Hernandes Dias Lopes grew up in a Christian home in Brazil. Following his 1981 graduation from Seminário Presbiteriano do Sul in Campinas, Brazil, he served two congregations of the Presbyterian Church in Brazil. In 2000, he earned a doctor of ministry degree from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. Rev. Lopes has been the voice of the television program Verdade e Vida (“Truth and Life”) since 2006. In 2010 he was appointed Portuguese ministry leader for Back to God Ministries International. Rev. Lopes and his wife, Tinha, have two college-age children.
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