FEBRUARY 1 John 10:1-3

This month we will learn about Jesus, our Shepherd. It was common for Jews to be shepherds in the time of Jesus. A shepherd takes care of the sheep during the day and puts his sheep in a sheepfold at night. A sheepfold is a big enclosed area, without a roof. It has only one door, often guarded by the shepherd himself or the porter (read John 10:3). The shepherd or porter is armed to fight off robbers or wild animals, for sheep are defenceless creatures that cannot fight back.

Have you ever been frightened? Have you ever been scared of strange noises at night? Or imagine lights moving on their own? Dear child, do not be afraid. Jesus is your Shepherd.

A shepherd guarding sheep is qualified to protect the animals under his charge because he is armed and trained. But he could sometimes fail if there was a large group of attackers, or a large pack of wolves attacking the sheep. On his own, he will not be able to fend off all of them.

But our Shepherd is Jesus! He is the Almighty God, and there is nothing He cannot do!

Turn to a few other verses and see where else our Lord Jesus is referred to as shepherd:
1. “The LORD is __________ Shepherd” (Psalm 23:1)
2. “But he that entereth in by the door is __________ shepherd of the sheep” (John 10:2)
3. “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that __________ shepherd of the sheep,
through the blood of the everlasting covenant,” (Hebrews 13:20)
4. “And when the __________ Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” (I Peter 5:4)

Thought: What a wonderful and powerful Shepherd Jesus is!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be thankful for the joy and peace of being one of Your little sheep. I commit my cares and burdens into Your loving hands. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.