Pastor’s Paragraph - February 11, 2021
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.
So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
(John 10:14-16)
The image of Christ as the Good Shepherd is beloved for many disciples, including me. It is one of the reasons I follow the way of Jesus. The care and protection of a shepherd helps to define the qualities of Christ as a constant companion. It is reassuring, comforting, and strengthening to remember we are never alone. Christ is with us, not rescuing us from adversity but guiding and helping us along as we travel the ups and downs and the twists and turns of this earthly journey. Christ’s abiding presence makes all the difference.
John adds another important truth in the passage I’ve selected. Christ is not just my Good Shepherd but our Good Shepherd. The protective care of Christ reaches far and wide, connecting me to one flock that circles the globe and spans the ages.
What image of Christ speaks to your heart and mind?