◄ What Does John 10:15 Mean? ►

as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep.

John 10:15(HCSB)

Verse of the Day

What is more helpless than a little lamb or what is sillier that a straying sheep? And yet we are the sheep of His pasture and we are His little lambs that need to be nurtured and protected by our Good Shepherd.

Twice in this chapter, the Lord identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd. The first time identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd of Israel. He leads the lost sheep of the house of Israel that hear His voice out of the sheepfold of Israel: "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." Jesus is the door of the sheep-pen, and the Good Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep.

But this Great Shepherd of Israel is our Good Shepherd too - for we are the 'other' sheep that this Good Shepherd has that are not of the fold of Israel, and He lays down His life for us as well. In this beautiful passage we gain a little glimpse into Christ's worldwide sheepfold that is the Church, where believing Israel and believing Gentiles are brought into one-fold with one Shepherd: "And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice; and they will become one flock, with one Shepherd."

What is beautiful about our Good Shepherd is that He knows every one of His sheep. He knows all that are His own little flock. Jesus knows who His own sheep are. He knows your name, and He knows mine.

He knows each of us personally and specially, and He knew each of us that would become part of His little flock before the foundation of the world. He knew us before we were formed in our mother's womb. He knows each of us intimately and has brought all those who trust in His name into personal union and sweet fellowship with Himself.

What a blessing that Jesus is our Good Shepherd, and He knows us all so well. Let us get to know the Lord Jesus more and more each day as we listen to His voice, look to Him, and follow His guidance.

My Prayer

Father, thank You that Jesus is my Good Shepherd Who knows those that are the sheep of His pasture. May I come to know Him more and more, as I keep Him firmly fixed in my gaze. In His name I pray, AMEN.