Lent 2023: John 10:11-21
- The Bookery
- Mar 8, 2023
- 2 min read
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them[a] and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. 13 This happens because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care about the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 But I have other sheep that are not from this sheep pen; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
19 Again the Jews were divided because of these words. 20 Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and he’s crazy. Why do you listen to him?” 21 Others were saying, “These aren’t the words of someone who is demon-possessed. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
Read & Journal
Today, read John 10:11-21. Mull over what you’ve read:
What does this passage teach you about Jesus—his identity, purpose or character? Explain.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus’ “I am” statements depict Jesus’ identity and ministry. What does “I am the Good Shepherd” reveal?
Jesus compared his actions as the Good (read: true, authentic) Shepherd to those of a hired employee who tended the sheep. How do their actions and motivations differ? Explain.
The Good Shepherd knows his sheep. How will you choose to rest in the truth that Jesus truly knows and loves you today?
A hired hand tends sheep for the money, but the Good Shepherd does it out of love. How is Jesus’ willingness to lay down his own life for his sheep an example of this?
Why is it important that no one took Jesus’ life from him, but he willingly laid it down so that we might be saved?
How have you experienced Jesus as the Good Shepherd in your own life, both in the past and this week? Journal your own prayer, thanking him for loving, protecting and leading you.
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