One Flock, One Shepherd: Sharing Christ's Care
Daily Scripture
John 10:7-10, 14-16
7 So Jesus spoke again, “I assure you that I am the gate of the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and outlaws, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.
14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own sheep and they know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. I give up my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that don’t belong to this sheep pen. I must lead them too. They will listen to my voice and there will be one flock, with one shepherd.”
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Marcelo Bielsa: “Without humility, you can do nothing in life.”
When you fully understand Jesus’ meaning, you see he agreed with Bielsa: humility was essential. Shepherds held low social status in Jesus’ day, so he was bold to call himself “the good shepherd.” Yet he drew deeply from the prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 34:1-16), where God himself promised to shepherd Israel. Jesus said, “I have other sheep that don’t belong to this sheep pen. I must lead them too.” Jesus never meant his flock to be exclusive—it would expand outside the original Jewish community, eventually including us. “One flock, one shepherd,” together finding “life to the fullest.”
- Sheep can’t care for themselves—an isolated sheep is among earth’s most vulnerable creatures. Unlike actual sheep, humans must choose to trust. When have Jesus and his people been shepherds for you? Where do you most need “shepherding” right now?
- Scholar William Barclay noted that Jesus’ promise of life “to the fullest” means a “superabundance”—an overflowing richness of life itself. “To be a follower of Jesus, to know who he is and what he means, is to have a superabundance of life.” * Where in your life right now, even in small ways, has following Jesus left you feeling more alive? How can you keep growing into that joyous abundance—encouraging others and being encouraged by them?
Prayer
Dear Jesus, I choose to trust you to be my shepherd. Shelter me, care for me, and guide me to the truly good life—a life shared with your people and enfolded in your love. Amen.
GPS Insights
Bethany Wilkie
Bethany Wilkie, who serves as a Marketing and Digital Engagement Intern this summer, wrote today’s Insights. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas, majoring in Marketing with a minor in Business Analytics. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, baking, reading, and working out. Bethany says, “I am so excited to help write for the GPS this summer, and I pray that through the writings of my fellow interns and me, you will grow in your understanding of God's love.”
Throughout multiple stories in the Bible, we see the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd and us as His sheep. Sheep are known for being vulnerable and often foolish, making them dependent on their shepherd for survival.
A sheep may spend most of its day grazing and roaming freely while the shepherd keeps a watchful eye on the flock. However, there may be times when a sheep becomes lost or faces a predator. In those moments, the shepherd comes to rescue and protects his sheep.
This passage made me think of a story I heard when I was little. As a child, I loved sleepaway camp and spent most of my summers at one in Colorado. While getting ready for bed one night, I remember our counselor telling us the story of “Footprints in the Sand.” The story describes looking back and seeing two sets of footprints behind you, representing you and God walking side by side. However, during the lowest and darkest moments of life, you look back and see only one set of footprints.
In the story, the person is confused about how God could leave them during such difficult times. God responds, “My precious, precious child, I love you and would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
I imagine that just as a shepherd may carry his sheep when they are in danger, God carries us when we are scared, vulnerable, and unable to stand on our own. Don’t just give God your joy—lean on Him in your sorrows as well. Our Shepherd is always there to protect and hold us, even when we are unable to walk on our own. Lean on God, and He will guide and protect you through both the highs and lows of life.
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Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* William Barclay, The Gospel of John—Volume 2 Chapters 8–21 (Revised Edition). Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1976, p. 60.
