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A Lent devotional on John 10:11-18
“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. 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.”
Hello, I’m Mandy, the Partnership Development Lead at Potter’s House, one of WorldShare’s ministry partners. From our community centres in Guatemala, we are guided by Christ’s love to empower those in need. Together, we work hand in hand, inspired by God to transform lives that will impact their families, communities and nation.
In John chapter 10, Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd. This phrase, the Good Shepherd, might not mean much to us today, but in Jesus’ time, it was a clear picture of his loving care and commitment. Listeners back then would know that sheep need a shepherd to care for them, otherwise they get into danger. They get stuck in ditches, drown in water, eaten by wolves, lost without food. They are even known to follow each other off a cliff! The presence of a shepherd is desperately needed.When Jesus compares himself to a Good Shepherd, He is showing us more of his character. Unlike the hired hand in verse 12, Jesus will never abandon his flock. He cares so deeply and intensely for his people that He is even willing to lay his life down for them. In the run up to Easter, this is such an important thing to remember.
As Christians, we might sometimes be tempted to think Jesus was forced to sacrifice himself for us, like it was something He did begrudgingly. But in verse 18, we read that Jesus laid down his life of his own accord. He loves us. He cares for us. We are precious to Him, and He wants nothing more than to save us. Jesus knows that wayward sheep like us need a Good Shepherd, and He is the only one who can fulfil that role perfectly. How amazing!
Here at Potter’s House, we act as shepherds of the precious sheep in our flock. We seek to show Jesus’ care and compassion to those who are lost. For example, through WorldShare, 74 children are sponsored, giving them holistic support. We aim to meet their intellectual, physical and spiritual needs, bringing transformation in Jesus’ name. Click here to find out more about becoming a child sponsor.
