"I Am"Sýnishorn

I am the good shepherd

On the evening of February 28, 1909, a passenger train climbed a mountain slope through Shiokari Pass in Japan. Inexplicably, the last carriage car came uncoupled from the train and began to slide back down the hill. Inside, the passengers panicked as the car picked up speed. Passenger Masao Nagano, who was also head of the Transportation Office, knew that the tracks behind them took a sharp turn. At their rate of speed, they wouldn’t make the turn and would derail.

Nagano, who was a Christian, and on his way home to marry his sweetheart, knew he had to act fast in order to save his fellow passengers. He pulled the emergency brake which slowed the car down, but it was still moving too fast to take the turn. There was only one option left. He moved to the back of the car, looked at all the bewildered passengers, waved goodbye, and jumped out of the train to lay his life down on the tracks. His body brought the train to a stop and everyone on board was saved.

This sacrificial laying down of one’s life for the benefit of others is what the good shepherd did for us on the cross. The picture of the Lord as a shepherd over Israel was a familiar one to Jesus’ audience of Pharisees and disciples. The metaphor was woven throughout the Old Testament, including the most famous reference, in Psalm 23, which was written by the shepherd king, David.

The good shepherd was the one who nurtured, protected, and provided for all his sheep’s needs. He went to great lengths to protect his sheep, even laying down his life for them (a point Jesus repeated five times). His rod and his staff were ready to defend to his death, his beloved sheep. The sheep in his care know his voice, and they follow him. No wolf, thief, or robber stands a chance against him because this shepherd doesn’t run away in the face of danger, he will die protecting his lambs.

The good shepherd is unlike any shepherd who may have left you high and dry in the past. He is not only gentle and lowly, but also he will stop at nothing to protect you and to love you to the very end. Yes, the shepherd, the good one, will by crook or by hook, do whatever is necessary to save you his beloved lamb—even lay down his very life for yours.

Respond

• The good shepherd lays down his life, and takes it back up again (John 10:17-18). As his sheep, how does knowing this provide you with confidence in his care?
• The good shepherd is marked by his sacrifice for his sheep. How can you willingly lay your life down in love and service to others?
• Jesus contrasts himself with the hirelings who don’t care for the sheep. How can you identify “hirelings” in your life, or in your church?