Wednesday | Week 9

Why Do Sheep Need a Good Shepherd?

A good shepherd takes care of his sheep. A good shepherd is responsible for the safety and welfare of his flock. A good shepherd is a protector.

Reading John 10, the word good immediately touched upon my heart and how it was attached to the word shepherd. My late husband would often say to me, “You always see the good in people first.” Therefore, I meditated on the word good because it touched my heart, and on the word shepherd because the Lord is our shepherd. So, what is good? Good has a few desirable words attached to it including “that which is morally right; righteousness.” Why? Because Jesus, the good shepherd, walked the earth as a righteous man.

Therefore, as I meditated on the good shepherd, I felt God was telling me as I go through this journey, I will encounter various good people in Christian fellowship. But there is only one good shepherd. It is only through him that we will be safely guided home. Sheep need the good shepherd and there is only one called Jesus.

As you read this passage pick out a word or phrase that stands out or touches you in some way. It might take more than one reading or it might not always be the same word or phrase on any given day. Meditate on its meaning to you. Ask yourself, why this word or phrase touches your heart? Is it something you are going through or have gone through and came out victoriously? Does it remind you of something?

Last, but not least, go into a place of contemplation where you rest in communion with God. 

It is only through Jesus that we can gain eternal life. We must enter through the gate that God has given us. It is not possible to go over it, go under it, or go around it. We must build a relationship with the good shepherd so he knows our name and we know his voice. We will stand as one flock with one shepherd.

Our Heavenly Father, I desire a relationship with you as my protector and I as your sheep. I want to know when you call that it is you and not the thief or the robber. It is only your voice I want to hear. Amen