SCRIPTURE: John 10
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. [John 10:9-11]
Here we see the I AM at work, describing Himself as the gateway and the good shepherd.
For a person to claim to be a “gate” is not unusual, nor to call themselves a “shepherd” – but to be the gate, the shepherd and GOOD, this is what is unusual.
Jesus further defines “good” by saying that the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Too many leaders – those that control access to a nations resources and benefits – look out for themselves first of all, and do so on the backs of their sheep.
But Jesus – and those like Jesus – sacrifice themselves for the sake of the sheep.

This is how Jesus defines good, and it is the definition that ought to shape all of us as His followers.
To follow Jesus means more than being nice, or tolerant, or polite, or respectable – it involves self-denial for the sake of others.
It means doing what we can to bless those around us, so that they can have life to the full.
Those who follow Jesus are constantly asking, ‘what can I do to benefit those around me?’
It is this love and concern for others that marks a Jesus-follower; it is a response to the love and concern that God has shown for us.
As John says in one of his letters: We love because he first loved us. [1 John 4:19]
The more we realize and appreciate how much God loves us, how much God has done and endured for us, the more loving and generous we will be for others.

Jesus uses the imagery of a shepherd, also used by David in Psalm 23; but He is especially picking up on the image as used by the prophet Ezekiel 34:1-16.
That is where God promises that since human shepherds only use and abuse the sheep, He Himself will come and care for the sheep like a good shepherd.
I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them… I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. [Ezekiel 34:10-11]
God Himself is taking care of us, through Jesus; the hand of the Father and the hand of Jesus shepherd us and lead us beside quiet waters, through the valley of the shadow of death.
God is good, and so is Jesus; nothing can separate us from their love: I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one. [John 10:28-30]

Take time today to enjoy His goodness and love, then spend some time considering how you can share that goodness and love with others.

PRAYER:
Lord, life to the full is only found in enjoying Your love and goodness, and sharing it with others. May Your love bless me today, enough to make me bless others.