Devotionals

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The Good Shepherd He Is

~I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep~
~I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep and am known of mine~
Jesus Christ of Nazareth


What an amazing thing this Jewish Rabbi said in these words! For in Biblical days, shepherds were looked upon with contempt. They were considered “lower class” citizens, only one step above a leper.

It is no wonder the religious leaders of the day desired to get rid of Him! His teachings were contradicting what they taught by word and example.

But His are the ways of love. There are many implications of Him calling Himself the “Good Shepherd”

Here, let us focus on a few. Jesus was identifying with the common people, who were for the most part, looked down on. By identifying with them He was saying in essence, “I know your plight, I understand you’re feeling less than the Pharisees. I understand what it means to be rejected, misunderstood, shamed. I understand your grief of heart for I made the heart.

By identifying with the common, sinners, outcasts and sick He was actually lifting them up. How is must have shocked the hearers to hear His willingness to bear the reproach of the Pharisees for them. Who really was this kind, gentle, loving Rabbi? How He was turning their world upside down! Such teachings, they never heard before.

Secondly, twice He called Himself the “good shepherd”. My pastor of old often told us that when God repeats Himself, we need to listen with our whole being because He is trying to drive home a very important principle.

What does the word “good” mean? According to Strong’s Hebrew and Greek dictionaries the first definition means “beautiful” And to those who have relationship with this Good Shepherd this is one of our dearest descriptions of Jesus. He is absolutely beautiful!

Precious soul, this beautiful God, our beloved Jesus, this Good Shepherd is still seeking out and looking for hurting, lost lambs. He is still seeking out sheep that have strayed. Are you one that He is looking for?

~He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young~


© Virginia Ganskie, 7-7-06

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