The Good Shepherd
“I am the good shepherd....I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father” John 10:14-18
“Here comes with power the Lord GOD, who rules by his strong arm; Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, Carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.” Isaiah 40:10-11
Why follow The Good Shepherd? Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:68
What did Jesus say to the twelve Apostles before sending them out? “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.” Matthew 10:16
Why is Jesus The Good Shepherd? Jesus is The Good Shepherd because he will lead us to everlasting life. “I am the good shepherd....I will lay down my life for the sheep.”
“Now too, Jesus has ears that are attentive to even the slightest hint of a sincere question, the slightest opening to conversion. He knows how to forget what he has heard, how to rise above offenses to resonate with the petition of the repentant sinner. Talk over your concerns with the good shepherd, and ask him to show you his heart of love.” Thomas Aquinas
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Parable of the Lost Sheep
“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.” Luke 15:4-7
