Embrace God
Almost all stories in the Bible highlight the power and character of God. Interestingly, this is because each book is inspired by Him. Today, I want to focus on a parable that allows us to go deeper into who God says He is and to better understand His position.
Why? Because we need to know who God truly is. Our entire being rests on the foundation of our Creator. Truly knowing and loving Him enables us to embrace all of Him—not just when things are good, but also during times when life feels uncertain, uneasy, and unmotivating.
Let’s turn to John 10, verses 11-18. Here, we see some of the most profound words of Jesus, speaking about The Good Shepherd and His Sheep.
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.12 The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.
This passage emphasizes the goodness of God to provide us an overseer, Jesus, the great shepherd, one who is good. It also illustrates his love and care for us, that in the midst of adversity, He does not run away or abandon us. He does the opposite of the servant. He gathers us as one flock.
God has given Jesus the full authority to care for us whole heartedly. This is important because only God knows what we truly need and who best to do the job than his Son (God himself in the flesh). This is also important to draw on the reasons we as sheep need a shepherd.
Sheep are naturally vulnerable and dependent animals. They need a shepherd because they lack strong instincts to protect themselves, find food, or avoid danger. Without guidance, they are easily preyed upon or get lost. A shepherd’s role is vital, leading them to pasture, water, and shelter, and keeping the flock together. Sheep tend to wander off due to boredom or curiosity, but with a shepherd present, they stay safe and close.
Remarkably, sheep hide their discomfort or illness to avoid attracting predators. The shepherd, familiar with their normal behavior, can easily notice when something’s wrong and intervene early to keep them safe.
Like sheep, we are vulnerable and often unable to protect ourselves spiritually or emotionally. We may hide our struggles, pain, or doubts out of fear or pride. However, just as a shepherd knows his sheep intimately, Jesus, our Good Shepherd, understands us deeply. He sees when we’re hurting, and He guides us safely through life. He is always close and by our side.
What does this say about God's character and power?
It shows us that God's character is full of love, sacrifice, and authority. He has the power to give His life and to take it back again, demonstrating His authority as a shepherd. Importantly, we did not ask God to be our shepherd; He willingly chose this role of service to us and for our benefit.
Matthew 28:20 reminds us that our Shepherd will be with us until the end of the world.
Prayer:
I pray that you are mindful of God's love. Though sovereign and holy, God is also gentle and cares for you personally. As a sheep in His fold, lean into His strength, His guidance, and His rulership over your life. It can be easy to stray from Him because His ways are sometimes hard to understand, but once you grasp His character, as a friend and helper, you can embrace Him with love and trust. I pray that your strength is renewed today as you stand firm in God's presence, trusting and obeying Him. In Jesus' Name, Amen!
