Dear God, my father in heaven, Thank you for being the shepherd for me and my family. We are all lost , strayed , blind, rebellious, and injured. You searched and found us. You gave us the free gift of salvation. You strengthen me when I am weak. You comfort me when I am in pain. You give me hope when I’m hopeless. I want to be with you always.
The Good Shepherd:
The role of a shepherd was well understood during the time of Jesus’ ministry. A shepherd’s job was to take care of the sheep. When Jesus described Himself as the good shepherd, He was describing His character as unique. The Greek word kalos means beautiful, noble, wholesome, and good. As a good shepherd, Jesus is describing His character, His righteousness and beauty. Sheep are known to be some of the most vulnerable of animals. When described as a shepherd, Jesus is also telling us something about ourselves and our need for Him. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, not only takes care of His sheep, but He also paid the redemption price to call them His own—those who have received eternal life through His blood. All of us sheep have “gone astray.” However, Jesus rescued us by perfectly fulfilling His Father’s will through His death. We thank God for providing us with a great protector in Jesus, who would go to the ends of the earth to protect His flock.
“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 10:10-11 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.10.10-11.ESV
““For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.”
Ezekiel 34:11-16 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/ezk.34.11-16.ESV
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