I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.
Ezekiel 34:15-16 ESV
Through the prophets of old, God reveals Himself to be the Shepherd of His chosen people. He tells them how He cares for them. He seeks after, rescues, gathers, feeds with goodness, offers safe rest, binds and strengthens.
Now Jesus is saying that HE is the good shepherd and not only that… He’s talking about laying down His life! Well, only God is our Good Shepherd. Is Jesus saying what we think He’s saying? What is He getting at?
PERSONAL REFLECTION:
Consider your own relationship with the Shepherd: how has He sought after you? Rescued you? Gathered you and brought/led you? How has He fed you with goodness and offered you safe rest? How has He bound your hurts and strengthened your weaknesses? How does He ask you to respond to His sacrifice?
Psalm 23; Isaiah 53:6,7; Ezekiel 34:11-16; John 10:11-18; John 15:13; Hebrews 13:20,21; 1 Peter 2:25, 5:4; 1 John 3:16; Revelation 7:17