My purpose is to give life in all its fullness!

John 10:1-10

“Anyone refusing to walk through the gate into a sheepfold, who sneaks over the wall, must surely be a thief! For a shepherd comes through the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice and come to him; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. He walks ahead of them; and they follow him, for they recognize his voice. They won’t follow a stranger but will run from him, for they don’t recognize his voice.”

Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, so he explained it to them.

“I am the Gate for the sheep,” he said. “All others who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the Gate. Those who come in by way of the Gate will be saved and will go in and out and find green pastures.The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.

Food for thought!

Since yesterday, Sunday, Jesus is making a great revelation of himself and of ourselves. About himself Jesus says: he is the shepherd. About us, Jesus is saying that we are his sheep. As you know, there cannot be a shepherd without sheep, and sheep without a shepherd. One presupposes the other. But why does Jesus liken us to sheep?

First, when God created animals, He seemed to design some of them as educational tools. By watching an eagle soar in the heavens, we can learn about the updraft of faith (Isaiah 40:31). By observing ants, we can learn the importance of diligence (Proverbs 6:6). We’re to have the surefootedness of a deer in high places (Habakkuk 3:19), to be shrewd as serpents but harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16), and to draw near to the Lord as chicks nestling under the wings of a hen (Luke 13:34).

A sheep is the one animal that is utterly clueless and helpless without a human being nearby. Sheep are helpless animals; alone they cannot survive nor thrive. Sheep need a shepherd. And there is no sheep without a shepherd. When Jesus tells us that he is the shepherd, he is saying that he is the ultimate need for you and me.

During His ministry on earth, Jesus specialized in meeting—ternal needs. He provided fish and bread for the hungry multitudes (external); He reassured the disciples, “Peace I leave with you” (internal); and He told us all that whoever believed in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (eternal). We have a God who knows and meets our needs as thoroughly as a shepherd cares for his flock.

It means that we have someone that knows us very well. In fact, the gospel of today says that Jesus (i) calls his own sheep by name and (2) leads them out. (3) He walks ahead of them; and they follow him, for they recognize his voice. It means that Jesus, our Shepherd, knows each one of us by name; it means that Jesus leads each one of us each single day; each single moment; it means that Jesus walks ahead of you and me; every where, every time. Even in our darkest of moments.

Jesus needed someone to help carry His cross — He’ll help you carry yours. All He asks is to remember him as your shepherd, your Good shepherd, whose purpose is to give life in all its fullness.