Jesus, Our Good Shepherd
(From the Gospel of John, Chapter 10)
When Jesus was alive on the earth, many people wondered if he might be the Messiah, the special one who would bring people and God together. One day some people who didn't like Jesus asked him, "Are you the Messiah? We want to know! Tell us right now!"
And this is what Jesus said:
"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd will do anything to keep his sheep safe - even put his own life on the line for them.
"I am not the hired hand who doesn't care about the sheep and who runs away at the first sign of danger. I am the Good Shepherd. I stay with the flock when danger is near and the sheep are scared.
"I am the Good Shepherd. I know each one of my sheep, and each of my sheep knows me. I call my sheep by name. They recognize my voice and they follow where I lead them. I always walk in front of my sheep and take them to safe places where there is plenty of good, green grass to eat and cool, clear water to drink. I stay with my sheep while they rest. And I bring them home when it is time.
"I am the Good Shepherd. When one of my sheep gets lost, I go look for that one. I find that lost sheep and I carry it back to be with all the others.
"There is one flock, and one shepherd - the Good Shepherd. That is what God wants. And that is what I want."
Questions to think about:
I wonder what makes you feel safe. I wonder what makes you feel scared.
I wonder if you have ever been lost. I wonder what it felt like to be found.
I wonder if Jesus calls you by your name. I wonder what Jesus' voice sounds like.
Is Jesus the Messiah, the one who brings God and people together?
How can Jesus be the Good Shepherd when you can't see him?