Jesus, Our Good ShepherdNäide

The marvelous motivation of our Good Shepherd

Why do shepherds shepherd? Why would anyone choose to spend those long days and weary nights watching the flocks and searching for the strays? Simple answer—for themselves. Despite the work, sheep provide shepherds with wool, milk, and meat, which provide clothing, meals, and paychecks. Like any other job, shepherding brings home the bacon (in this case, the mutton 😊).

But this is what makes Jesus so marvelous. Why did Jesus become our Good Shepherd? Did he come down from heaven because he needed clothes? No, he was clothed in glory. Was he hungry? No, he spent all eternity at the feast of heaven. Was he broke? No, the sheep on every hill belonged to him as true God.

So why did Jesus do it? Here’s why: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). For the sheep. Have you ever read such marvelous words? Jesus came down to be the Shepherd “for the sheep.” His motivation was not self-preservation but your soul’s salvation. He wanted to clothe you in holiness, feed you with his goodness, and enrich you with God’s presence.

No one in history has ever been motivated by such selfless love. That’s why we love the name of Jesus, our Good Shepherd.

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