What authority did Jesus have when He walked on this earth? Do you know of the miracles He performed? Have you heard how He healed people? Have you heard that He cast out demons? Who raised Him from the dead?
Even if you have not been in church, you have likely heard some of the stories about Jesus. You might have heard about the miraculous healings, casting out demons, and perhaps how He turned water into wine. You also have probably heard He died, was buried, and raised to life again.
But do you really know Him? He often used parables about farming or shepherding when He taught the principles of God, a good life, and Himself. Today, we see Him call Himself the good shepherd. What does He mean by that?
First, He says He lays down His life for His sheep. A shepherd of His day might be expected to fight off any number of wild animals to protect the herd. King David said he had fought the lion and the bear (1 Samuel 17:36) when he was tending the sheep as a young man.
Jesus goes on to say there are sheep outside the pen. Until He came to earth, Israel had been God’s chosen people. Jesus is saying that He has come to bring the gentiles or non-Jews into His family. He came to graft in those of us who are not Jews as Paul states it in Romans 11:17-24.
Notice that He states He has the authority to lay down His life and to take it up again. Through this statement, Jesus identifies Himself as God. Who, other than God, can lay down His life and take it up again? No one. Only God has the ability to die and come to life again.
I pray we all see Jesus as God. I pray we see Jesus as the Good Shepherd. I pray each one of us go to Him, accepting Him as our Lord and Savior. Know that Jesus is God. Know that He loves you deeply. Go to Him in all situations. Seek His guidance. Trust Jesus
John 10:14-18 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Marty Pressey 