Are you looking for a protector? Are you in need of someone who will look out for your best interest? Do you long to have someone in your life whom you can trust? Have you been searching for this someone for a long time?
Having someone in our lives who has our best interest at heart is wonderful. Knowing we can trust someone to guide us and protect us gives us confidence, we feel secure. There is someone who will provide what we need.
As we see in today’s passage, Jesus is our good shepherd. What does that mean? We don’t often talk about shepherds and likely don’t fully understand what a shepherd did a couple thousand years ago. A shepherd was a provider and protector. He would guide the flock to food and water. He ensured the food was of good quality and steer the flock away from poisonous plants. The same is true of water. He knew where there were streams or wells that provided good water.
The shepherd also protected the flock from danger. He would fight off attackers. Remember, David, when he went to face Goliath, stated he had fought off lions and bears. The shepherd also knew the lay of the land and protected the sheep by steering them away from cliffs and pits.
As we see in our passage today, there were both good and bad shepherds. Jesus says He is the good shepherd. He will both provide for us and protect us. He will guide us to safe pasture and sweet brooks. He will protect us from those who would attack us. He will give us strength, courage, knowledge, wisdom, and most of all contentment. Jesus is our good shepherd.
I pray we all turn to Jesus as our good shepherd. I pray we listen for His guidance and follow Him. I pray each one of us trusts Jesus to provide for and protect us. Put your trust in Jesus. Know that He is your good shepherd. Jesus has laid down His life for you.
John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Marty Pressey 