John 10:11-18 (NRSV)
Read John 10:11-18 on biblegateway.com
Verse 11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Verse 12The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. Verse 13The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. Verse 14I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, Verse 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. Verse 16I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. Verse 17For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. Verse 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father."
Devotion
Similar to this week's New Testament reading in 1 John, Jesus has healed another and is being confronted by the religious authorities. He responds, distinguishing between the hired hand, who will abandon the sheep at any personal threat, and the good shepherd, who will engage the threat rather than run away.
Think of the promises made by so many in our culture—promises of wealth, love, sex, well-being, identity, community. Are not the purveyors of these promises mere hired hands, getting what they can from us for their own benefit, but becoming mighty scarce when their promises fail to deliver? What can a car, a job, a lover, or toothpaste really do to enrich our lives? Can they finally redeem our pain, or welcome us home?
Prayer
Jesus, you are the good shepherd. You know us. Help us know you, so that we might be healed. Amen.