Names of Jesus | Advent DevotionalSýnishorn

Monday, December 16 John 10:11-21 | Good Shepherd Author: David Bibee

After the recent hurricane and flooding disaster that has wracked our neighbors and countrymen in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, there have been countless videos that have come out detailing the destruction of homes, roads, bridges, and all manner of critical infrastructure. The death toll is likely to be very high, particularly as many places remain inaccessible, without power, fuel, or utilities. Among these videos, however, there have been some glimpses of light and many stories of resilience.

One example I saw showed a family who was able to return to their property. When they arrived at their property line, they discovered many of their animals and livestock all huddled on higher ground where they could escape the flood waters. As they rolled the windows down and called out to the animals, I was honestly astonished by how they responded—the donkey, sheep, and cows all began running around in excitement, some even making leaps into the air as if they were rejoicing to hear the sound of their caretakers again.

It was a beautiful picture, in the midst of horrible devastation, of the kind of relationship that God created us to have with the creatures of the world. Animals are created helpers to us, not only by becoming nutritious food but also through providing wool or assistance as beasts of burden (in fact, many of the local relief efforts in Tennessee and North Carolina have been using trains of donkeys to get supplies where other vehicles and helicopters can’t reach).

Seeing instances like these in our daily lives makes the biblical metaphors that use these images all the more compelling. The scriptures use metaphors and symbols like these to illustrate spiritual principles precisely because God intends us to think of him as we catch glimpses of revelation reflected in the world around us. God made us to care for the good creatures he made so that we each would thrive together, and God calls himself our Shepherd, who leads us beside still waters and makes us lie down safely in green pastures (Psa. 23).

In our passage for today, Jesus takes upon the name of Yahweh and the designation of a shepherd for himself—“I AM the good shepherd.” In contrast to the other leaders and rulers in Israel who were “hirelings” or “wolves” themselves, Jesus is the owner of his sheep and stands firm when wolves or thieves threaten his flock. Sheep, by their very nature, are the easiest targets of all. Without constant care, they easily become disoriented and lost. Without proper grooming, their wool can become so overgrown that they are easily caught in thorns and brush, making it impossible to eat.

Admittedly, comparing us to sheep isn’t all that complimentary to us, but if we’re honest about our own spiritual condition when we’re left to ourselves, the shoe fits. If God didn’t intervene in our lives, calling us to new life in Christ and rescuing us from our weaknesses, sins, and infirmities, we would be utterly helpless—and the worldly leaders around us wouldn’t offer any true solutions. When the dam breaks and the wolves are circling, Jesus, unlike so many others, never fails to stand firm and uplift his weary and harassed people. Even more, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, was willing to become a Lamb like us, even giving his own life so that we might be free.

This Advent, may we rejoice in our Shepherd!