Breath of Power - Week 22/04

Week 22: May 24 - 30, 2004

Knowing God as the Good Shepherd Part III

Key Passage: John 10: 11 - 15

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.”

Jesus was in Jerusalem, the center of Jewish political and religious authority, during a feast. There was a controversy concerning his identity – “Who is this man from Galilee?” He did not mince words in describing himself – “I am the Good Shepherd!” By that statement he meant that he is the true shepherd of Israel. He explained that the good shepherd offers his life to save the sheep he leads. But a hired servant would act differently in times of danger; he would first seek his own safety. But Jesus, undoubtedly, cares for the sheep, because they are his. He maintains a personal intimate relationship with them because he loves them.

Is it not unfortunate that there are hired servants amongst pastors and leaders of God’s people today? Some care more for their bellies than for the flock which God committed into their hands. They live big on the sheep and care less for their wellbeing. But Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd; … and I lay down my life for the sheep” Jn 10:14-15.

The message of Jesus brought a great stir among the Jews. By their tradition, they had an understanding of “the Shepherd of Israel”. He is Jehovah Himself; the God of Israel, who dwells between the cherubim, (Ps 80:1; 2 Kg 19:15). He is the same God who appeared to Moses on Mount Sinai, and who plagued Egypt to set Israel free. He was the One who appeared by a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day to lead them through the wilderness. He parted the Red Sea for them to pass on dry ground, fed them with Manna from heaven, gave them water from the rock, and spoke to them from the top of the mountain.

However, standing before them was this young man from Galilee who claimed to be “the Shepherd of Israel”. They heard his teachings and saw his miracles, but they were so prejudiced that they said, “He must be mad”. But others spoke up saying, “But how could he be mad if he is putting peoples lives straight and opening blind eyes?” They were confused because they did not want to accept the truth. Jesus Christ is the true shepherd of God’s people. He loves and cares for all his own.

Pray, Lord Jesus, open my eyes to always recognize you as the shepherd of my soul; grant me the grace to trust that you love and care for me.

Written by Evangelist Oguazi Onyemobi



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	Week 22: May 24 - 30, 2004 Knowing God as the Good Shepherd Part III Key Passage: John 10: 11 - 15 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” Jesus was in Jerusalem, the center of Jewish political and religious authority, during a feast. There was a controversy concerning his identity – “Who is this man from Galilee?” He did not mince words in describing himself – “I am the Good Shepherd!” By that statement he meant that he is the true shepherd of Israel. He explained that the good shepherd offers his life to save the sheep he leads. But a hired servant would act differently in times of danger; he would first seek his own safety. But Jesus, undoubtedly, cares for the sheep, because they are his. He maintains a personal intimate relationship with them because he loves them. Is it not unfortunate that there are hired servants amongst pastors and leaders of God’s people today? Some care more for their bellies than for the flock which God committed into their hands. They live big on the sheep and care less for their wellbeing. But Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd; … and I lay down my life for the sheep” Jn 10:14-15. The message of Jesus brought a great stir among the Jews. By their tradition, they had an understanding of “the Shepherd of Israel”. He is Jehovah Himself; the God of Israel, who dwells between the cherubim, (Ps 80:1; 2 Kg 19:15). He is the same God who appeared to Moses on Mount Sinai, and who plagued Egypt to set Israel free. He was the One who appeared by a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day to lead them through the wilderness. He parted the Red Sea for them to pass on dry ground, fed them with Manna from heaven, gave them water from the rock, and spoke to them from the top of the mountain. However, standing before them was this young man from Galilee who claimed to be “the Shepherd of Israel”. They heard his teachings and saw his miracles, but they were so prejudiced that they said, “He must be mad”. But others spoke up saying, “But how could he be mad if he is putting peoples lives straight and opening blind eyes?” They were confused because they did not want to accept the truth. Jesus Christ is the true shepherd of God’s people. He loves and cares for all his own. Pray, Lord Jesus, open my eyes to always recognize you as the shepherd of my soul; grant me the grace to trust that you love and care for me. Written by Evangelist Oguazi Onyemobi

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