“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
A shepherd is one who takes full responsibility for the welfare of the flock. A hireling will run from trouble, but a good shepherd will put himself in harms way for the welfare of the sheep. Jesus is our good shepherd and He put His life on the line for us, His sheep.
The Message Bible says: I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary.
The twenty-third Psalm speaks of Jesus in His good shepherd role. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Feeding, leading, guiding, tending, healing, restoring, and providing for the sheep are all responsibilities of the Good Shepherd. Jesus really is that good to us.
Jesus is my good shepherd. I don’t want for any good thing; He cares completely for me.
- Reading Plan A: 1 Timothy 3
- Reading Plan B: 1 John 1
- Reading Plan C: Jeremiah 9-10; 1 Timothy 3
by Tim Davidson
Excerpt permission granted by
Word of Faith Church & Outreach Center
Called to the Body of Christ as a pastor and teacher, Tim Davidson pioneered Word of Faith Church in Bismarck in 1980. He served as its Lead Pastor for 35 years and now serves as Founding Pastor. Pastor Tim has pioneered 6 churches in North Dakota and now serves as Regional Director for Rhema Ministerial Association International. Teaching believers foundational truths from God's Word is his passion.
He has authored 3 yearly devotion books that are used both here and overseas to help believers become "rooted and grounded" in their faith.
God is now calling Pastor Tim to share the treasury of wisdom and knowledge God has given to him with other pastors and churches.