I Am The Good Shepherd
To reflect God’s heart to the world around us, we need to know God’s heart and, we believe, God’s heart is most clearly represented in Jesus. In the weeks leading up to Easter, we invite you to explore the life of Jesus by reading the Gospel of John with us. As we delve into the richness of scripture, we’ll utilize the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, which invites us to slow down and posture our hearts to hear from God. With that said, let’s begin with a prayer.
Open your time by reciting these words:
Lord, as I approach scripture, prepare my heart to encounter You in its pages. Quiet the distractions that pull me away and open my eyes to see Your truth. May I encounter these words humbly, with an open mind and a receptive spirit. May my time in Scripture be a sacred encounter that deepens my relationship with You and transforms me into the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lectio (Reading)
Take a moment to read John 10:11-42 slowly and attentively. As you read, pay attention to any words or phrases that stand out to you. Allow the text to wash over you, inviting the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 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.” John 10:11-15
Meditatio (Meditation)
A shepherd lived amongst his flock and served as their guide, protector, and caregiver. Sheep weren't wild animals; they belonged to a shepherd who tended to their well-being. In John 10, Jesus utilizes familiar imagery to help his audience get a glimpse to God’s heart by referring to Himself as the Good Shepherd who would give His life for His sheep. Jesus knows us, cares for us, protects us, and watches over us. Just like sheep, we’re defenseless, unable to protect ourselves from what life throws our way. It’s not IF the wolves will come, but WHEN. Sadly, troubles, hardship, and adversity are part of calling a broken world home. These wolves come in all shapes and sizes, but have the same intent: to isolate us, breed fear, and make us question if God cares about our plights.
Yet, no matter how lost we might feel, we’re never truly alone. Jesus knows us, cares for us, and watches over us. He protects and pursues. He rescues and restores. Our Good Shepherd offered His life so our lives could flourish, knowing that because God is for us, nothing can stand against us. God loves us so much not to leave us to ourselves. He goes before us, protecting us from our enemies. God does not rescue us by removing us from difficult situations; He protects us right in the middle of them.
Take a moment to reflect on the words you have read. Reflect on the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Imagine yourself as one of his sheep, under his loving care and protection. Consider the qualities of a good shepherd: his attentiveness, his willingness to lay down his life for his sheep, and his intimate knowledge of each one.
Contemplatio (Contemplation)
Being compared to a helpless and foolish creature that’s prone to wander isn’t a badge of honor, especially in a culture that applauds self-sufficiency and encourages hiding our weaknesses. We don’t like to be dependent on anyone but ourselves. Yet, the more determined and defiant we are to go our own way, the more we display our stubborn “sheepish” qualities. We don’t always know what we need or want, we go down wrong paths, and feed on things that are far from life-giving and nourishing to our souls.
In our chaotic world that pulls us in a million different directions and disorients our souls, who doesn’t need a place of refuge and rest? Perhaps that’s why the shepherd cares for the sheep in the intentional way that he does. He makes His sheep lie down, leads them, and guides them. God knows what we need and knows what is best for us. He sustains our faith by directing us to the source of life, which is Himself. Rather than rush, God invites us to rest, and in doing so we declare our trust in Him. For Jesus to be our shepherd, we must first be willing to be His sheep.
Take a moment to contemplate where you’re displaying “sheepish” qualities. Where is self-sufficiency preventing you from relying on Jesus as your Good Shepherd?
Actio (Action)
The Lord is MY Shepherd! That’s a beautiful idea, but what if it is true? What if God wants to be your shepherd? What if God desires to provide for you, protect you, and pursue you with His goodness and mercy all the days of your life? If all this is true, then these truths should affect our realities. How we relate to God influences how we think about everything else. If God is our shepherd, then we don’t have to be. To live as one of His sheep, we must submit and trust His leadership, guidance, and goodness. So, how do we submit our lives daily to the shepherd? Daily, we set our minds on the fact that Jesus really is our Good Shepherd. We set our minds on the fact that Jesus really does provide, protect, and pursue us for all the days of our lives. We set our minds there and we allow everything about us to flow from that reality.
Take a moment to consider the implications of Jesus being YOUR shepherd. How can you posture yourself today to be receptive to God’s guidance and care?
Oratio (Prayer)
Close your time by reciting this prayer or lifting up your own:
Father God, thank you for being a loving shepherd who guides and protects me. I'm helpless and vulnerable without You. Help me to hear and trust Your voice so I can follow Your lead. Wherever you lead, I will follow, trusting You are with me every step of the way. Amen.