July 28
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THE GOOD SHEPHERD LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP
11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.” 19 A division occurred again among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?” 21 Others were saying, “These are not the sayings of one demon-possessed. A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?” – John 10:11-21
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Jesus continues to reveal His deity to the Jews in this account. He uses the shepherd and the sheep as an example to clearly define the relationship of the Good Shepherd to his sheep. He declares how the Good Shepherd is very different from those hired hands who do not care about their flock for they don’t own them. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for His flock. He describes those counterfeit shepherds who only care for their own welfare and not for the sheep. Isn’t this so true with our leaders and pastors in this day and age? Many are not true shepherds but are only after their own agendas. They do not lay down their lives to give God the glory. They do it for their own increase. They give glory to themselves but not to God.
It is sad to watch many false teachers, pastors and leaders who lead their flock astray and preach a different gospel other than what Scriptures say. They are only after their own selfish ambitions.
Jesus is concerned with those sheep who belongs to Him who are being misled by these counterfeits and false leaders. He wants them back to His fold.
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REFLECTION
• How do you know if you are being misled by false prophets, teachers or pastors?
• What is your responsibility as a Christian when you know you are being misled?