I AM: Discovering the Nature of Jesus!
Friday, March 19, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for this new day to love and serve You! Thank You that while I slept last night, You watched over me as the Good Shepherd watches over the sheep. I pray that as I go about this day I will hear Your voice and follow wherever You lead. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may discern Your voice, and be emboldened to follow You regardless of the cost. Use me to glorify Yourself and to bring others into Your fold. Show me the places and times where You want to use me. Bless those who need to be found, and give them the grace to follow You. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God's Word Today
John 10:11-20
11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will leave the sheep because they aren’t his and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13The hired hand runs away because he is merely hired and has no real concern for the sheep.
14“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice; and there will be one flock with one shepherd.
17“The Father loves me because I lay down my life that I may have it back again. 18No one can take my life from me. I lay down my life voluntarily. For I have the right to lay it down when I want to and also the power to take it again. For my Father has given me this command.”
19When he said these things, the people were again divided in their opinions about him. 20Some of them said, “He has a demon, or he’s crazy. Why listen to a man like that?” 21Others said, “This doesn’t sound like a man possessed by a demon! Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
Reflecting on God's Word
If you were a shepherd, what kind of shepherd would people consider you to be?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
What are the differences between a good shepherd and a hired hand? (10:11-13)
What does Jesus say the relationship is between the Good Shepherd and his sheep and Jesus and His heavenly father? (10:14-16)
What response did the people have to Jesus’ proclamation that he was the Good Shepherd?
Understanding God's Purpose
What purpose do you see in Jesus’ discussion of His relationship to His heavenly Father in today’s Scripture?
What is the role of “sheep” according to this Scripture?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
Having studied this Scripture a couple of times, what is the most important application you see from it for you right now?
Thoughts...True Power!
Jesus tells us in today’s Scripture what it means to have true power—it is the ability to lay down one’s life and “take it back up” again. Only Jesus could have saved humanity from our sins, because only Jesus is perfect. At the same time, the only way for our salvation to occur was through Jesus death. Jesus willingly laid down His life for us, because He knew that He was going to “take it back up again”, that is to rise from the dead! Jesus’ power was unlimited. He could have used that power to avoid the pain and humiliation of the cross. Instead, He willingly endured the cross for us, and then demonstrated the fullness of His power, when He rose from the dead. Even though Jesus told His disciples that He would rise from the day, every single one of them was surprised when He actually did it! They had seen Him, heal the sick, the lame, the demon possessed, the blind, and even raise others from the dead. Yet, when Jesus fulfilled His promise and came back from the dead, they were amazed. (I guess we would be, too, right?!?!) As we go about this day, let’s remember that our Savior has power—ultimate power—resurrection power, and He gives it to all who turn to Him and follow the Good Shepherd!
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