WORDS

Jesus the Good Shepherd

Christ is a shepherd who never tires of protecting us and was able to give up his own life to save us

28/11/2018

By: Apostle Valdemiro Santiago

Do you recognize the voice of Jesus and follow it? In the parable of the "Good Shepherd" in John 10, the Master teaches us that the sheep, by identifying the voice of their shepherd, obey and walk in the direction that leads them. Do not think that training them is an easy task. Sometimes it is necessary to use force with the most rebellious ones or to rise in high and dangerous places to rescue those that flee after some fright.

A real shepherd is capable of risking his life to save the flock.

Imagine only: desert and more desert, no pasture sight to feed the animals, water to quench thirst or safe place to sleep after a hard day's work. These are some of the real challenges that the shepherd described by Jesus underwent every day. Even overcoming such challenges, the profession of pastor was extremely undervalued. In Israel, they stayed weeks or even months away from home traveling in search of a place to use as pasture. They were far from the people, deprived of living with relatives, were not invited to parties, and lived without any comfort. All this put them one level below when compared to other occupations. This is clear in the passage of Joseph. When the governor of Egypt meets the family and goes to introduce them to Pharaoh sketches concern. The Egyptians did not tolerate shepherds, an office exercised by all Joseph's brothers. "... every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians," Genesis 46: 34b. David is another example of a brave and brave pastor who was despised. With his hands he slew a bear and a lion that tried to rob the sheep of Jesse his father, but when the prophet Samuel comes to his house to anoint the next king of Israel that God had revealed is forgotten. Only after all the brothers are rejected by Samuel do they remember to call him in the field. Still on the parable of John 10, Jesus presents himself as the good shepherd: "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep, and they know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep, "John 10:14, 15. Coincidence or not, he is the model of a shepherd who gave himself without effort, all for love, and was ignored, treated as the scum of humanity. This shows that it is up to us to follow God's direction or not. Jesus has all the power and authority, he could impose his will on us, but he is educated, beats and asks if he can enter; different from the robber who breaks doors or jumps windows to take what does not belong to him. "He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but goeth up on the other hand, the same is a thief and a robber," John 10: 1b. Do not worry! Our good shepherd is always alert to the thieves who plot against us, he never tires (Isaiah 40:28). You will only be robbed if you leave loopholes for Satan to act in your life. Be faithful to God and everything will work out. God bless your day!