• Scripture: John 10:11
• Broadcast Date: 12/07/2015

THE GOOD SHEPHERD
John 10:11

Whenever I enter the month of December, I automatically think about Christmas, the coming of our dear Lord. That was a miracle,
God taking upon Himself the form of a man, a human body. God was robbed in human flesh without sin, so that He could become our Sacrifice for the sins of the world.
And to think that He would also become a gentle shepherd and his sheep would be people who received Him so that we would be like a little flock. As a matter of fact, Jesus called us that when He declared,
“Fear not, little flock; for it is your fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32).
So it was that Jesus told His followers,
“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
So Christmas is telling us that Jesus was born of Mary, taking on sinless flesh, and eventually going to the Cross to pay for our sins with His own blood. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus paid for our sins.
But that is not enough. We must accept the Savior and ask Him to come into our heart and cleanse us from all sin. St. John makes that plain when he declares, “But as many as received Him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name”. (John 1:12).
So that transaction has to be made to become a member of His flock and have Jesus as our Shepherd.
Friend, you are missing the real meaning of Christmas if you have not opened your heart and life to the Savior. But, on the other hand, if you have taken the Lord Jesus as your Savior, then you have that great shepherd of the sheep to help and guide you all through life and walk with you at the end of life into that other world. So Isaiah tells us of this wonderful shepherd and His care.
“He shall feed His flock like a shepherd, He shall gather the lambs with His arms, carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” (Isaiah 40:11).
So the kind shepherd loves and carries the young. But do you know what? The good shepherd cares for the old age as well.
Listen to His promise in Isaiah,
“And even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear, even I will carry, and will deliver you.”
(Isaiah 46:4)
So there is the good shepherd, Jesus who dies for the sheep of all ages for all time. Long ago, David talked about that wonderful shepherd and His wondrous care. Care all through life, supplying our every need, and filling our life with mercy, goodness and grace. Leading us, sometimes carrying us, until we come to that last valley, the valley of the shadow of death. As we pass through that valley we can know, “thou art with me”. He will lead us into that great city of God where we will dwell forever. And it all began at Christmas when the eternal Son of God became man and dwelt among us.
Let’s celebrate the real meaning of Christmas, the coming of the Son of God.