Daily devotion – The Good Shepherd!
On the night of Jesus arrest and betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane, He portrayed so beautifully at that time of great danger to His disciples, that He truly was their Good Shepherd.
Jesus has prayed whilst the disciples slept in His hour of need. In the dark of the night, the torches and lanterns of the large number of soldiers coming to arrest Jesus could be seen gathering closer to where Jesus was.
As this mass of soldiers arrived, led by Judas, Jesus confronts them with a question. “Whom are you seeking?” Obviously, Jesus knew they had come for Him but Jesus was by this very action, taking charge of all that would happen in the garden that fateful night.
Their response to Jesus question was simply, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
It was Jesus reply and the next two words that He uttered that put everything in order. Jesus replied, “I Am!” As Jesus spoke those words, the arresting party was struck by a force that caused them to step back and fall to the ground John tells us.
Jesus asks the soldiers the same question again, “Whom are you seeking?” Their response was the same as the first time. But now Jesus adds the guidelines, the parameters as to what was to happen next, as He shepherds His sheep.
Jesus says this time as the Good Shepherd in charge of His flock, “I have told you that I Am. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way….John adds a small explanation at this moment in his Gospel record – John 18:9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”
How often we fret and fear that God is not watching over us. We know that fear is the opposite to faith. Jesus often had to say to His scared disciples the words, “Fear not!”
Jesus is our Good Shepherd, and He watches over us at all times. He guards and protects us and we need to remind ourselves that we His sheep, are in His care. Actually, we are in His hands and the hands of our Heavenly Father – John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”
Be sure that your Good Shepherd is watching over you now in the situation you are going through. He loves you and remember He gave His life for you. You are most precious in His eyes.
In the storm, the trouble that you find yourself in today, know your Shepherd is watching over you. Listen for His voice and take comfort in knowing He is protecting you.
He is the Good Shepherd!