"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."
The goal of our walk with Jesus is to come to know him as our Shepherd just as intimately as he knows the Father. A key truth for us to remember: In a world where so many people want to attract our attention, gain us as their followers online, get us to subscribe to their channel, share a like on a social media post, or offer us unsolicited advice on their products, we can still refuse their voice and listen to our Shepherd. Each of these attempts to grab our attention stems from selfishness, egotistical desires to feel important, or a desire to sell us something so they can profit off us. We listen to Jesus because he has shown his love for us by laying down his life for us. He is not a hireling; he is the Good Shepherd. He has laid down his life to protect us, save us, and ensure we can have life with him. So, let's listen to him and let our Shepherd's voice drown out all the voices that would lure us away to harm!
My Prayer...
Holy Father, you are wonderful and generous beyond description. You have shown your love by sending your Son to be my Shepherd. Please help me hear his voice through your word, the holy Scriptures. Help me hear his voice through the wise counsel of spiritual friends. Help me hear his voice through the words sung to me by my brothers and sisters when we are assembled in worship. Help me hear his voice in the Holy Spirit's work on my conscience. Father, I want to follow your Son as my Shepherd and Lord because I know he, like you, is good and wants the best for me! In the name of my Shepherd and gracious Lord, I pray. Amen.
"[After Jesus confronted the high priest who was questioning him,] one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. "Is that the..."
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