John
10:10–11 (ESV)
“10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good
shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.“ [Emphasis mine]
This is part of the final public address of Jesus. He uses another of the “I am” statements that
John so meticulously records. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the
sheep.” (John 10:11,
ESV). This statement is not offered in isolation. Israel’s shepherds have failed miserably in
caring for the nation. God promises to
raise up another shepherd who will lead his people in righteousness[1].
God himself comes, in Christ, and takes on the role of this shepherd.
Read this
promise carefully.
““I will
make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so
that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. And I
will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send
down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing. And the
trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its
increase, and they shall be secure in their land. And they shall know that I am
the Lord, when I break the bars of
their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them. They
shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour
them. They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid. And I will
provide for them renowned plantations so that they shall no more be consumed
with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the reproach of the nations. And
they shall know that I am the Lord
their God with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people,
declares the Lord God. And you are
my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord God.”” (Ezekiel 34:25–31, ESV)
This is covenant language – New Covenant language. Notice the emphasis, not on wealth so much,
but security, peace, and assurance. The
picture is also so wonderfully portrayed in the Shepherd’s Song:
“The Lord
is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He
leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of
righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your
staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my
enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and
mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house
of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:1–6, ESV)
This is the meaning of the “abundant life”. This is why Jesus came.
Father, you are my
shepherd, my Good Shepherd. Today and
always, lead me where I will rest content and my soul will be nourished.
Whatever the hill or valley, or even in the darkness, my fear is gone for you
are present. You have given us eternal life that is now and forever – that minds
it ever-increasing culmination in your presence, where there is fullness of
joy. Amen.
[1] “And I will set up over them one
shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be
their shepherd.” (Ezekiel
34:23, ESV)
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