We all need a good shepherd

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The 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. 13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:11-15)

Our Bible lesson gives us some insight into what it means to be a follower. Jesus tells us in this Bible lesson that he is the Good Shepherd. But it seems that we live in a time when no one wants a shepherd, someone to lead us. Or we may be willing to have a shepherd, a leader, but only if this shepherd is going the way I want to go. Then we no longer have a shepherd to lead us, but rather someone who puts a stamp of approval on our own path.

Ever since the 1960s, there has been a decrease in our trusting of institutions like government, schools, and the church. So it’s not that unusual that we may not trust our leaders. We may turn to ourselves and trust only in ourselves. Then we become our own leaders. We follow our own wants and desires.

But if we do this we run the risk of becoming like the people of Israel during the end of the time of the Judges. The very last verse of the book of Judges states that, “In those days there was no king in Israel; all the people did what was right in their own eyes.”

I think that many people live with a sense of mistrust in any leader outside themselves. This can lead to a life of fear, and a poor outlook for the future. When we allow our fears to lead us, they will lead us on a path of destruction. Who needs a good shepherd? I need a good shepherd. And you need a good shepherd.

Jesus shows us what a good shepherd is like. He gives a model that tells of his love for us. He’s saying that he loves us so much that even in the midst of danger or fear, he will not run away, but rather he will lay down his life for his sheep, his followers. This is a shepherd, a leader that you can depend upon.

Are you willing to experience just how much love Jesus has for you? Love that led him all the way to the cross. It’s time to trust again. It’s time to put away your fears. It’s time to allow Jesus to be Lord of your life.