Devotion 22 April 2026

Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example. ---- He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth. –-- He Himself, bore our sins on the tree.       1 Peter 2: 20c + 22 + 24a

READING: John 10: 1-5, 9-11

In our reading today we hear Jesus describing Himself as the Good Shepherd who guards His sheep, because He is the gate to the fold. He calls them by name, protects them, and they follow His voice which they know.  He then goes on to describe how he is the gate through which we can have entry into a full and life-giving relationship with God.  He promises that all who enter through Him, will be saved.  He says, “I have come that they (us) may have life and have it to the full.”   In Jesus’ day the shepherd was on the outside of the normal society.  This would have been a shock for those hearing Jesus associate Himself with the common shepherd.  They had quite different ideas about who Jesus would be.

The sheep were commonly slaughtered for food or for sacrifices in the Temple.  He then predicts Himself being ridiculed, and slaughtered, that by His death and resurrection His people will be saved from their sins, because He is the Good Shepherd who will lay down His life for all of us.  He will lay it down “of His own accord,” (vs 18).  It is little wonder that His critics did not understand Him.  The Good Shepherd is not going to lead His sheep to the slaughter but He will allow Himself to be sacrificed.

We live now after Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection.  We know Jesus was a lamb without blemish which was sacrificed for us and has given us a new birth through His resurrection from the dead.  This reminds us that our Holy God has called us to be a holy people.  As we respond to God’s calling, He empowers us to share His faithfulness and love with others.

Prayer

God of promise, we are grateful for all that You have done through Your Son and continue to do for us.  Lord Jesus, help us to respond to Your great love with gratitude by serving others in Your name so that God may receive all the glory.  Amen