John 10:11-18 (NRSV)
Read John 10:11-18 on biblegateway.com
Verse 11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Verse 12The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. Verse 13The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. Verse 14I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, Verse 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. Verse 16I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. Verse 17For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. Verse 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father."
Devotion
Animals recognize voices. When I was growing up, we would call the cows home from the pasture at milking time. They knew what to expect. They’d be cared for, they’d be fed. If a stranger came into the barn while we were milking, however, they got nervous. Someone, with whom they had no history was there. They didn’t know what to expect, so they were anxious.
Life can produce a lot of anxiety. We need to listen to the words of our Good Shepherd. We need to be assured again and again of the love our Shepherd has for us. The more we listen, the more we learn to trust in the care of Jesus.
Prayer
Speak your word of love to us again, Lord Jesus, for we never tire of your words of love for us. Amen.