癤?

I Am the Good Shepherd
혻
John 10:9-15 (NIV)

?? I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 혻10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 ?쁈 am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns 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. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 ?쁈 am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me??5 Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father?봞nd I lay down my life for the sheep.?쇺€?


We meet many people in life. We meet parents, brothers, sisters, friends, our mate, and children. Sometimes our meeting with a person definitely influences our future. Helen Keller and Dr. Young-woo Kang met a good teacher and a wife who brought big changes in their lives. However, the most important encounter in life is the meeting with Jesus.


1. The purpose of Jesus??coming (2Co 8:9).

Jesus came as our Savior to this world filled with sin and despair. Jesus is the gate (Jn 10:9) and the only way to salvation (Jn 14:6). Jesus came to the earth to give us eternal life and give it to the full (Jn 10:10). Jesus humbled himself and became a curse and went through poverty in order to give us abundant life (Gal 3:13; 2Co 8:9). Therefore, we should enjoy abundant life in Jesus and give thanks for the amazing grace from the Lord.


2. Jesus, good shepherd (Jn 10:11).

Jesus is our shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep, but a hired hand does not care for the sheep and only seeks his own benefit. Religious leaders?봦igh priests, scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees??were all false shepherds. They were hypocrites and were haughty. They made rules but did not observe them and collected money by colluding with merchants at the temple. They reigned over the sheep and only demanded their sacrifice and services. They finally killed Jesus by crucifying Him on the Cross. However, Jesus, being our good shepherd, carries us close to His heart (Isa 40:11) and leads us into His blessing and grace (Ps 23:1-2).


3. Jesus who knows us (Jn 10:14-15).

Jesus knows all about us, (?쐊now??is ?쐙ada??(in Hebrew), and means knowing someone as husband and wife know each other from experience). Jesus knows about our circumstances and situations. He understands our thoughts, weaknesses, sinful nature, hopes, concerns and hidden pain. In addition, He recognizes our needs, where we should go and where we should not go. So Jesus can be our true comforter, provider and guide. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace so that we might receive His mercy (Heb 4:16).


4. Jesus who laid down his life for us (Jn 10:15).

Jesus saved us by shedding His blood on the Cross in His own accord (Jn 10:17). We, His sheep, can be safe in Jesus, the true shepherd, who loves us. Jesus protects us from thieves and wild beasts which attack the sheep. Moreover, He even sacrificed His life for His sheep (Heb 9:28).

There is no good shepherd other than Jesus. Only Jesus leads us into the true and beautiful way. Therefore, we, who have become the children of God through the sacrifice of Jesus, should live for the glory of God, because we are indebted to Him for His love.