WHO ARE YOU?Sample

The most consistent description of God’s leadership in the Bible is of him being a shepherd. Isaiah writes: “He tends his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11)

This reality hit me forcefully when I lived in Cyprus briefly. I once watched a local shepherd, complete with crook, lead his sheep over the limestone rocks and scrub to where there was pasture. He spent the entire day with them.

There are a lot of fake shepherds about today; people who want to exploit the sheep they volunteer to lead. In reality, they have no care for those in their charge.

In his fourth “I am” saying, Jesus says: “I am the good shepherd.” In saying this, Jesus makes it plain that he is the one who truly cares. He is the one who has defended you with his life … and he is the one who will get you home.

Do allow yourself to be led by him.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I celebrate the fact that you are good in every way. That you should choose to shepherd us, and lay down your life for us, fills me with wonder. I can do nothing other than say with gratitude: “I choose to follow you.”