May 26

I am the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep. John 10, 11.

The whole human race may be compared to a flock of sheep. Jesus is the Good Shepherd of that flock. He bought that flock with the price of His own precious blood. He is the Savior of all men. I am no hireling, says Jesus. I am the good Shepherd that gives His life for the sheep.

To understand the meaning of these words, we must remember that by nature all men are as lost sheep. Our first parents were seduced to sin and fell a prey to Satan. Since the Fall all men are born in sin, and not a soul is by nature born into the sheepfold of the Lord. By nature we do not follow our Good Shepherd. By nature we are all like sheep gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way. And the wolf is lurking. Satan intends to get eternal possession of all men. But, behold! the Good Shepherd came. The Son of God appeared on this earth to deliver us from the jaws of the ravening wolf. But oh, how hard the Good Shepherd had to fight that He might deliver the lost sheep! He gave His life for the sheep. In our stead, for us, He suffered and died.

That is what the Lord Jesus Christ did for us as our Good Shepherd. He not only put His life at stake, but He actually gave His life. Oh, how Satan must have triumphed when our Shepherd was dying! The whole flock seemed to be his. But things turned out contrary to Satan's expectation. For, behold! Christ rose again from the dead. His death procured the sheep's life; His blood-shedding, their deliverance; His sacrifice, their liberty.

The risen Savior has instituted the office of the ministry. Thus the sheep even to-day hear His voice. The voice of the Good Shepherd is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If we do not hear His voice and consequently are lost, we must lay it to our own charge. But the Good Shepherd seeks the lost sheep. Let Him not seek in vain.

Prayer.

O Lord Jesus, my Good Shepherd, I surrender entirely to Thy pleasure; shape my destiny as accords with Thy will and as best advances my soul's salvation. Into Thy hands do I commit myself; behold, Thou hast graven me upon the palms of Thy hands; no one shall pluck me out of Thy hands, for I am of the people of Thy pasture and the sheep of Thy hand. Let me never stray from the fold to the ways of error and sin; and if I do, bring me back to the flock listening to Thy saving voice. Amen.

The Lord my faithful Shepherd is, And me He safely guideth; I shall not want, for I am His Who all things good provideth; I follow Him, I hear His voice, In Him, my Lord, I do rejoice: Bless am I in His keeping.