My Good Shepherd Lets Me See Peace

You can usually tell when a caregiver is family or a close friend of the person being cared for. There is a difference in the quality of care. I have been blessed to be able to be my momma’s hands-on care giver. I love her and I loved being able to be here for her.  There is something comforting about having someone that you know and trust keeping you in their care and under their protection. 

Then there are possibly other care givers within in-home setting or a facility that are paid to be caregivers. I would hope that most people that are in these positions would be truly caring, loving people. But as sad as it is, sometimes it is a just a job. We have experienced the different levels in our multiple hospital and rehab stays during the past five years.  We have had the good, mediocre, and the not very good caretakers. 

John 10:11-14 tells us about the greatest Caretaker, Jesus.  In verse 11, He calls Himself the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep. He is not like a hired hand who will run when he sees danger and leave the sheep on their own to be attacked and scattered by the wolves.

The reason the hired hand runs is because he does not own the sheep or have a personal attachment to them. His own good matters more to him than the sheep. But Jesus knows and cares for His sheep and His sheep know and trust Him. 

A shepherd in the Near East was responsible for watching out for enemies trying to attack the sheep, defending the sheep from attackers, healing the wounded and sick sheep, finding and saving lost or trapped sheep, loving them, and sharing their lives and to earn their trust. (Blue Letter Bible — Strong’s Outline of Biblical Usage Notes)

Jesus is the One that knows and cares for us.  He knows us and as we come closer to Him we come to know Him better.  

The challenge for us, in our human form, is to truly know and believe that Jesus is the One and only Good Shepherd. 

To apply this passage we must come to Christ and realize that He is our Good Shepherd. We must strive every day to remain within His protection and get to know Him more intimately moment by moment. 

What does this mean to my faith?  Knowing that Jesus is always there to protect me gives my spirit a peace that the world cannot understand, especially now. Also knowing that my relationship with Him is only hindered by the limitations that I put on myself helps my faith be able to grow. 

Lord, Jesus, thank You for being my protector and my peace in this strange land. The longer I am here, the stranger it seems. I long to be close to You, my Shepherd and my King. I am so grateful to be one of Your sheep. Help me to always stay within the safety of your fold and help me to lead others to this safety. 

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“11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. ¹² But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. ¹³ The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” John 10:11-14 (KJV)

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”. John 10:27 (KJV)

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”  2 Timothy 2:19 (KJV)

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What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe?  Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him?  You can know Him.  You can attain peace that the world cannot comprehend. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity.  You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.  

 Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ! PeaceWithGod.net

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