John

Check out all the previous John readings here.

John Reading Plan | Week 14, Day 3

Prayer

Pause for a moment of quiet and stillness. To center yourself fully, take a deep breath in and exhale slowly. Repeat this process three times. Ask God to open your eyes to the amazing truths in His word today.

Bible Reading: John 10:14-18

Read these verses three times slowly.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Reflection & Questions

Jesus continues to unfold His analogy of being the “good shepherd” and us being His sheep. This is such a close relationship, the sheep and shepherd know each other just “as the Father knows me and I know the Father.”

It is astounding that we are invited into a relationship with Jesus, indeed with the Trinity, that is as close as Jesus is to the Father. The privilege of being a disciple is incomparable. We may not have riches, health, or any myriad of other things, but we have Christ, and nothing else compares. For Christ is the “good shepherd” who laid down his life “for the sheep” and did that willing, of his “own accord.” He willingly went to death for us, so how could we ever doubt His love or distrust His ways?

(What about the “other sheep that are not of this sheep pen”? The sheep pen refers to the Jews. They were chosen by God, God’s people since Abraham. The other sheep are the Gentiles, the non-Jews. Whereas in the past there had been separation, in Jesus there will be “one flock and one shepherd.” All Jews and Gentiles that believe in Jesus are part of Jesus’ flock. We are one big family.)

1. What word or phrase sticks out to you from today’s verses? Why?
2. List some of the ways that Jesus is the good shepherd. Let your soul delight in the fact that He has invited you into a relationship with Him.

Prayer

Talk to God in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

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Questions?