Key Thought

When a shepherd would take his sheep to open pastureland he would sometimes place them in a small pen at night. This pen didn't have a gate. The shepherd would actually sleep in the opening to the pen. He was their protector during the night. When daylight came, he would get up and lead them to good pasture grass. The shepherd left the comforts of home to bring the sheep to good pasture. The shepherd slept out in the open land to offer protection and company for the sheep. Why? His desire was that the sheep be healthy, fed, and protected. The parallels to Jesus leaving heaven, laying down his life for us, and doing all he can to give us health and life are clear. O what a Savior! O what love! That's how Jesus cares for you and me.

Today's Prayer

Get WJD by EMAIL!

Enter your email address above to subscribe to the email edition of What Jesus Did! Follow along FREE every day as we go through John in a year. More Info on Mailing Lists

What words, dear Father, can truly describe my appreciation for your love for me. What "thank you" is suitable for your sacrifice, Lord Jesus? I confess that some days I lose sight of your amazing love for me and your desire to give me life. I know that it is on those days that I am most vulnerable to Satan's temptations. Please forgive me. I know you have come to give me life that is rich here and knows no boundaries. Thank you! In Jesus name. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth. When a man enters the sheep pen, he should use the gate. If he climbs in some other way, then he is a robber. He is trying to steal the sheep. But the man that takes care of the sheep enters through the gate. He is the shepherd. The man that guards the gate opens the gate for the shepherd. And the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. The shepherd calls his own sheep, using their names, and he leads them out. The shepherd brings all of his sheep out. Then he goes ahead of them and leads them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. But sheep will never follow a person they don't know. They will run away from that person, because they don't know his voice." Jesus told the people this story. But the people did not understand what the story meant. So Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth. I am the gate for the sheep. All the people that came before I came were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. The person that enters through me will be saved. That person will be able to come in and go out. He will find everything he needs. A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life--life that is full and good. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. The worker that is paid to keep the sheep is different from the shepherd. The paid worker does not own the sheep. So when the worker sees a wolf coming, he runs away and leaves the sheep alone. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. The man runs away because he is only a paid worker. He does not really care for the sheep. "I am the shepherd that cares for the sheep (people). I know my sheep like the Father knows me. And my sheep know me like I know the Father. I give my life for these sheep. I have other sheep too. They are not in this flock here. I must lead them also. They will listen to my voice. In the future there will be one flock and one shepherd. The Father loves me because I givemy life. I give my life so that I can get it back again. No person takes my life away from me. I give my own life freely. I have the right to give my life. And I have the right to get it back again. This is what the Father told me." Again the Jews did not agree with each other because of these things Jesus said. Many of these Jews said, "A demon has come into him and made him crazy. Why listen to him?" But other Jews said, "These things we are hearing are not coming from someone that is crazy with a demon . Can a demon heal the eyes of blind people? No!"

— John 10:1-21 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.