The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
John 9:10-11 NASB

“It takes some of us a lifetime to learn that Christ, our Good Shepherd, knows exactly what He is doing with us. He understands us perfectly.”
W. Phillip Keller

“In most, when you go to church, most churches when they have images of the good shepherd, they show Jesus carrying a nice fluffy lamb. Now fluffy little lambs don’t stray from their mommy. The lamb that will stray is the most obstreperous, troublesome one.”
Desmond Tutu

God, I struggle to believe you are a “good” shepherd. For I believe good implies average. An average shepherd would go the reasonable distance, put forth a reasonable effort. A good shepherd would weigh the odds of success in each effort to protect a lamb from harm. A good shepherd wants to live to see another day, another paycheck, another warm meal. A good shepherd might take into account whether his health insurance is going to put him back together again if an aggressive wolf decides to test his resolve.

But you’re not just a “good” shepherd, are you, Lord? No, you’re the kind of shepherd who would and, in fact, did, give His life for His flock. This kind of resolve and protection was not modeled accidentally. The lessons made manifest in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ are many; enough to ponder over a lifetime. Help us to recognize the difference between the average shepherd and the greatest.

© Joel Tipple 11/14/2018