Living Words
"Living Words" is a weekly podcast that explores the transformative power of scripture across a diverse range of Biblical books, guided by insightful devotionals from the author's own works. Each episode seeks to deepen faith and understanding, connecting listeners with the enduring wisdom and relevance of the Bible in their daily lives.
Living Words
In His Footsteps Week 16: The Good Shepherd
In an inspiring episode of "Living Words," host Charles Vance explores the profound metaphor of Jesus as the Good Shepherd in John 10:1-21. This week, part of the "In His Footsteps" devotional series focusing on the Gospel of John, delves into the rich symbolism and lessons we can draw from this powerful passage.
The episode begins with a prayer and a heartfelt reading of the scripture, setting a reflective tone. Charles explains that Jesus uses the image of a shepherd to vividly illustrate his relationship with his followers—highlighting his role not just as a leader, but as a caretaker who is deeply committed to their well-being.
He discusses Jesus declaring himself as "the door of the sheep," emphasizing that Jesus is the only legitimate way to salvation, offering both guidance and protection. This idea is central to understanding how Jesus differentiates himself from false leaders described metaphorically as thieves and robbers who harm rather than heal.
Furthermore, Charles elaborates on the qualities of the Good Shepherd who sacrifices for the sheep, contrasting this with the hireling who flees at the first sign of danger. This comparison brings out the depth of Jesus' commitment to his flock, underscoring his willingness to lay down his life—a theme that resonates deeply as we think about the nature of true leadership and sacrifice.
The discussion also touches on the universal mission of Jesus, referring to the "other sheep not of this fold," which speaks to his inclusivity and the expansive reach of his message beyond cultural and historical boundaries. This segment of the podcast might remind us of the importance of unity and inclusivity in our own communities and institutions, echoing some of the foundational values in broader endeavors like educational or organizational leadership, where the aim is to bring diverse groups together under a common purpose.
The episode concludes with reflective questions and prayers that encourage listeners to contemplate the protective nature of Jesus, his exclusivity as the path to salvation, and the personal significance of his sacrificial love. These themes challenge us to consider our own paths and the voices we choose to follow in our lives.
Listeners are left with a deeper appreciation of the Good Shepherd's role not just in a spiritual sense but also in practical, everyday terms, reflecting on how leadership and devotion in their own lives can be modeled after the example set by Jesus. This reflection is particularly poignant for those involved in teaching, counseling, or leading—where guiding and protecting others is a daily responsibility.
Get a copy of the In His Footsteps devotional here.
Good morning, happy Sabbath. I'm glad you're joining me again. I'm Charles Vance, your host for this episode of Living Words podcast. We're currently in the In His Footsteps devotional 52 weeks in the Gospel of John. We're at week 16. This is the Good Shepherd. I hope you'll join me this morning.
Speaker 1:Let's get started by reading the Word. Our reading this week is John 10, 1 through 21. Most assuredly, I say to you, you know what, before we get started with the reading, let's pray Abba, father, thank you for this morning, thank you for this day. We just praise your name, we bless you, we ask for your blessing upon us. We pray that we would walk in the spirit and the walk, the light, the life of the word. We pray that your reading of the word this morning would speak to our hearts and it would open up new truth as we attempt to follow you.
Speaker 1:Most assuredly, I say to you he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs up some other way, the same as a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens and the sheep hears his voice and he calls out his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice and they will by no means follow a stranger but will flee from him, for they know his voice and they will by no means follow a stranger but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. And Jesus used this illustration. But they did not understand the things which he spoke to them. And then Jesus said to them again, most assuredly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before me are thieves. You, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before me are thieves and robbers. But the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, that they may have it more abundantly.
Speaker 1:I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees. And the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. A hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd and I know my sheep and I am known by my own, as the Father knows me. Even so, I know the Father and I lay down my life for the sheep and other sheep I have which are not of this fold, and them also I must bring and they will hear my voice and there will be one flock and one shepherd and therefore my Father loves me because I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again. And this command, I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again, this command I have received from my Father. And therefore there was a division again amongst the Jews because of these sayings and many of them said he has a demon and he is mad. Why do you listen to him? And others said these are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?
Speaker 1:John 10, 1-21 contains the Good Shepherd discourse, where Jesus uses the metaphor of a shepherd to describe his relationship with his followers. This passage is rich with symbolism and offers profound insights into his identity, his mission and the nature of the relationship he seeks with believers. After healing the man born blind and facing interrogation by the Pharisees in John 9, jesus continues to teach and reveal more about his divine role. In this discourse, he contrasts the behavior and motivations of thieves and robbers, false leaders, with the good shepherd, who enters by the gate and is recognized and followed by his sheep, with the good shepherd, who enters by the gate and is recognized and followed by his sheep. Now here's the theological significance Jesus as the good shepherd. Jesus identifies himself as the good shepherd, emphasizing the intimate knowledge he has of his sheep and his willingness to lay down his life for them. This metaphor speaks to his care, guidance, protection and sacrificial love for his followers. Jesus as the gate. By claiming to be the gate for the sheep, he introduces another metaphor suggesting that he is the only legitimate way to enter into a relationship with God and find salvation, and this highlights exclusivity in the path to eternal life and safety found only through him.
Speaker 1:The Shepherd's Sacrificial Love. His declaration that he lays down his life for the sheep contrasts sharply with the hired hand who abandons the sheep in the face of danger. This points to the atoning sacrifice of him on the cross, underscoring his deep love and commitment to our redemption. Recognition and Response. Underscoring his deep love and commitment to our redemption, recognition and response. The sheep recognized the Shepherd's voice and follow him, reflecting the deep personal relationship between Jesus and his followers. This symbolizes the believers ability to discern his guidance through the Holy Spirit and the importance of obediently following his lead. Unity of the flock Jesus mentions other sheep not of this fold, that would be the lost tribes, indicating his mission to bring unity among all believers, regardless of ethnic or cultural backgrounds. And this foretells the universal scope of the gospel, transcending Jewish boundaries to include everyone.
Speaker 1:Division among the hearers. As with many of his teachings, this discourse causes division among the listeners, highlighting the varied responses to his identity and claims. It underscores the necessity of faith to truly understand and accept his message. So here are some lessons that we can gain from this passage Jesus as the exclusive path to salvation and the shepherd's protective care. He declares himself both the gate and the good shepherd, underscoring that he is the sole path to salvation and offering a protective care for his followers. This dual role emphasizes the exclusivity of salvation through him and his commitment to safeguarding those who trust him, guiding them into eternal life.
Speaker 1:John 10, 7, 9 through 11. And therefore Jesus said again verily, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pastor. The thief comes only to steal and kill. Next is the nature of his leadership and sacrificial love as the hallmark of discipleship. Through his self-description as the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep, he models selfless, sacrificial leadership. This not only reflects in the depth of his love and commitment, but also sets an example for believers, calling them to embody sacrificial love in their discipleship and relationships, mirroring the shepherd's care for his flock. The importance of recognizing his voice the analogy of sheep recognizing and following their shepherd's voice serves as a metaphor for the intimate relationship Jesus seeks with his followers. It highlights the importance of being attuned to the guidance of Jesus, distinguishing his voice from false teachings and distractions, following him with trust and obedience.
Speaker 1:Here are some questions this week. What aspects of Jesus being the good shepherd resonate most with you and why? Well, for me it's the protectiveness. He is the good shepherd. He's not going to leave you, he's going to watch over you and protect you from the wolves. He's made that assurance. And you and protect you from the wolves. He's made that assurance and you can rest on it. How does understanding him as both the shepherd and the gate affect your perception of his role in spiritual life? That he is the only way, I am the way, the truth and the life. That there is no other path to him, to the Father, except through Jesus? You cannot claim to be a follower of God yet deny the Messiah. It stands in contradiction to the Word and the truth. Reflect on the significance of his willingness to lay down his life for the sheep, and how does this love influence your relationship with him? It defines his love that he would lay down his life and he had the power to take it back again. He's the only one that can raise you up on the last day, up on the last day. The varied responses to his discourse reflect diverse attitudes toward his identity and message. And how do you navigate discussions about Jesus in context of mixed beliefs Honestly.
Speaker 1:First off, I think it's important to note that it's not our obligation to go out and save every soul. I just don't believe that way. Okay, I'm not Calvinist. I'm also not Armenian. I'm neither of those. I just follow Jesus and I follow Yeshua HaMashiach. When I'm in a room of mixed belief, I'm not going to cast my pearls before the swine. I'm not going to allow his name to be mocked. So, first off, if there's not an openness for somebody to hear about other faiths or understandings certainly if you're a Buddhist or an atheist or whatever you are, if you don't believe in Christ I'm not going to be confrontational about it that doesn't solve anything. So, if there's not an open heart, I'm not going to say anything. Probably, and that's not hiding it. He says don't hide your light under a bushel. Well, don't hide your light under a bushel, but also don't cast your pearl before swine. So it's a balancing act and you have to follow the Spirit and he'll direct you.
Speaker 1:Here's some prayers. Dear Lord Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we come before you with grateful hearts for your sacrificial love and unwavering care. We come before you with grateful hearts for your sacrificial love and unwavering care. Teach us to trust you more deeply, knowing that you lead us beside still waters and restore our souls In moments of fear or uncertainty. Remind us that you are with us, guiding and protecting us every step of the way. Help us to rest in the security of your fold, confident in your sovereign care and provision.
Speaker 1:Amen, heavenly Father, in a world filled with many voices and distractions, we ask for the grace to recognize and follow the voice of Jesus, our shepherd. Sharpen our spiritual ears to discern your truth and direction amidst the noise. Strengthen our commitment to spend time in your word and in prayer, cultivating an intimate relationship with you. May we be obedient sheep, quick to listen and swift to follow your lead, guided by your Spirit in every decision and action. Amen, holy Spirit, you have called us to emulate the sacrificial love of Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for us. Empower us to love others with the same selflessness and devotion, looking not only to our own interests but also to the needs of those around us. Inspire us to acts of kindness and service that reflect the heart of Jesus, building up his body, the church, and extending his love to a hurting world. Teach us to bear one another's burdens, embodying the unity and diversity of your kingdom with grace and compassion.
Speaker 1:Amen. I hope this has been a blessing to you this week. I pray you can find words in here and truth from the scriptures to help you as you have your challenges and tribulations through the week. Know that the good shepherd is with you and that he laid down his life for you and he's protecting you. Have your challenges and tribulations through the week. Know that the good shepherd is with you, that he laid down his life for you and he's protecting you and watching you and keeping you Amen.
