January 1 – A Worthy Resolution.

With this post we begin the seventh year of writing and sharing these brief devotionals. We hope they continue to be an encouragement for all who choose to follow them. They are also available as an email for those who sign up with the form when you scroll to the bottom of this page.

“He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.” – John 21:17 (NASB)

Jesus has a wonderful way of restoring us when we fail Him. He does not humiliate us. He does not criticize us; He does not ask us to make a resolution to try harder. Jesus takes us aside and asks us to reaffirm our love for Him. It was the third time Jesus asked Peter if He, Simon by name, loved Him. First in verse 15, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” Second in verse 16,  “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Third in verse 17 – our verse for today. When Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, He used a word for love that signified total commitment. Peter replied using a word for love that signified his love for Jesus, but not necessarily his total commitment. This was because he had been disobedient and denied the Lord in the past after a bold declaration of being committed. The resolution we might do well to consider this year would be to submit to Jesus’ demand of total commitment as His follower. Place our love for Jesus above our love for all else in our lives. 

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December 21 – How We Know

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” – John 10:11 (NASB)
“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.” John 10:15 (NASB

Shepherds worked very difficult jobs. Sheep were important to the lives and the livelihood of sheep owners and an important industry. Finding a good shepherd, one that could be trusted, was not always easy. Here, Jesus declares himself the Good Shepherd. A strict more literal translation is “I am the shepherd, the good one.” A good shepherd would be willing to hazard his all for the sheep. King David was a shepherd who risked his life to protect the sheep from wild predators. A shepherd may, indeed, risk his life in the defense of his sheep (1 Samuel. 17:34–36), but he does not really lay down his life as a voluntary sacrifice. But our Good Shepherd has a different relationship than a hired shepherd. To save His sheep, the Good Shepherd sacrificed his life so that they can live. Jesus doubles this promise and He did lay down His life for the sheep because He knows each intimately by name and they know and follow Him. His sheep know him in the same way as God the Father and God the Son know each other for they are one. Perhaps difficult to understand, it is His promise to us. 

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December 19 – Being The Door

“So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.” John 10:7 (ESV)

Jesus is the Son of God and the manifestation of God Himself who came to earth to live a life that his created humans lived. He claimed to be the Bread of Life, the Living Water, Living Light, and now we learn the Good Shepherd. The shepherds in that time would sometimes lead their sheep into a fold. This round pen would be most likely have a rock wall with one opening. To protect the sheep at night the shepherd would sleep in the gateway as the door. He would know if anyone came to rob the sheep. When Jesus says, “I—emphatic; i.e., I alone—am the door of the sheep,” he means that he is the only One through whom anyone obtains legitimate access. There simply is no other entrance. The sheep in this way were saved from the threats and dangers in the world. No predator would be allowed in to frighten or molest the sheep. The Shepherd protected them with His life. Jesus promises, when he says, “I AM” the door that He was the only way sheep found safety and we are invited to enter by faith believing into His flock by trusting His promise. 

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May 15 – Listen, Know, Follow

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 (NIV)

The life and work of a shepherd was a well known occupation from Old Testament times. When Jesus was on this earth walking among the people he used familiar words to describe Himself – one of them was to described Himself as the Good Shepherd. Those who followed Him were His sheep. Like the sheep cared for by their shepherd, followers of Jesus know and listen to His voice. That means, of course, that Jesus speaks to His followers. We hear his voice as we read the Bible or as we listen to others reading from it. He has so much to tell us. When we read in the Old Testament we can sense Him speaking to us. He speaks to us in the New Testament too.  We can hear Him in His teaching to the disciples and the people as recorded by the Gospel writers. We also hear his voice in the letters written to the churches. Jesus also speaks to us in our hearts through our consciences and He uses the Bible to confirm what he says. Jesus often said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Let's be sure we're listening.

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March 28 – I AM The Good Shepherd

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. - John 10:11 (ESV)

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,  just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.  - John 10:14-15 (ESV)

Sheep were very important for those who lived in Israel at the time of Christ and for centuries before Christ. More than a millennium before Jesus Christ, David, a shepherd, wrote “The Lord is My Shepherd” (Psalm 23:1)  It was a natural illustration that Jesus used when He said twice “I Am the Good Shepherd,” as recorded in John 10.  For Jesus, sheep and the tending of sheep typified His life and purpose. Those listening to Jesus knew about the care required for a flock of sheep. Christ says He is THE good Shepherd. Some were careless in their duty, neglecting their flock when it was in danger and threatened. Bad practices spring from bad principles. The Lord Jesus had no bad principles. He is sure of His own because the chosen have put their trust in Him. This is a demonstration of the grace of Christ. None of us could demand Jesus do what He did when He willingly chose to be our sacrifice. He laid down His life for our redemption and salvation. He offered himself to be our Savior even when we were lost in our sin of rebellion.

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October 16 – Be-Aware of Wolves

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.  Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues,  and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.”  Matthew 10:16-18 (ESV)

Jesus, after identifying the twelve and commissioning them as apostles, prepares to send them out on a mission trip.  He gave them authority over demons, disease, and sickness. He instructs them where and to whom they are to go and what they are to preach. “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons,” were His instruction. After additional instructions Jesus gives them a warning. They would encounter sever resistance as they preached that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. Jesus is sending them into the middle of wolves.  He predicts that they would be arrested, charged, and punished in the synagogues. In verse five He had said to not go to Gentiles or Samaritans but only to the Jews. But we see in his warning in verse eighteen that his prophecy of resistance reached beyond this one mission trip. It would cover any and all such missions for Christ and the Kingdom. Preach the gospel and you will be hated and hunted. Gentiles would become part of the resistance to the gospel. These predictions are promises for us as well. We should expect and not avoid resistance when preaching and teaching the Word of God. 

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September 20 – Do You? Do You? Do You Really?

“He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep”  John 21:17. (NASB)

Three times Jesus asks Peter this question “do you love Me?” Does Jesus ever need to ask us this question? Are we quick, when among friends and other believers to affirm our devotion to Christ?  Peter was and then he denied knowing Jesus three times on the night of his trials which let to his crucifixion.  Jesus promised Peter that He would do so. Peter was crushed by his denial of his Lord. Jesus here wants to restore him because He knows His plans to use Peter. Three denials, so Jesus asks for three affirmations. Jesus presses to get past Peter’s bravado. Like Peter, we might jump quickly to professing our allegiance to Christ Jesus when in an emotional but safe moment. We want to signal to others how strong our commitment is. But when our commitment depends on our own ability to remain strong, that is when God allows us to be tested and without trusting God’s Spirit, we flop badly.  When we fail, He promises to restore us. Jesus asks us, “Do you love Me?” When we affirm that we do, the evidence will be the fruit of our obedience to His Word. 

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*There are verb tenses known as 'historical present' in the Greek which have been translated with an English past tense in order to conform to modern usage. The translators recognized that in some contexts the present tense seems more unexpected and unjustified to the English reader than a past tense would have been. But Greek authors frequently used the present tense for the sake of heightened vividness, thereby transporting their readers in imagination to the actual scene at the time of occurrence. However, the translators felt that it would be wise to change these historical presents to English past tenses.  The asterisk marks those verb tenses which in Greek are 'historical present' and our passage above can read as "He was saying to him" or "He says to him" with the context indicating it is 'historical present.' 

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

September 2 - Patiently Knows

“And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord God.” Ezekiel 34:31 (ESV)

This is a common comparison made throughout the Bible between those who believe in God the Father and His Son as our shepherd and us as His sheep. It is understandable because sheep ranching was a major means of making a living.  Jesus calls us His sheep as recorded in the Gospels but today's verse is from the Old Testament prophecy given to Ezekiel. The promise given to us is that God loves us even though He knows that we are not perfect.  He knows us just as He knew His people in Old Testament days. What the Lord told His followers in Ezekiel’s day can be applied to us today. He knows who we are. He knows where we came from. He says we are his people and what he means is that we are human.  Just as sheep left without a shepherd and on their own, will wander off and get lost or even killed by wild animals, God knows we make mistakes and sometimes fail Him. But in spite of our weaknesses or failings, He is patient with us and loves us.  He still wants us to remember that He is our God and we belong to Him. He is our shepherd and He is not ashamed to be known as our God.

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May 11 – Listen. Hear. Know His Voice

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;” John 10:27 (NASB)

Perhaps you have had the opportunity to see a modern day shepherd, or sheep farmer, in action.  In the video link below one gives others the opportunity to call his flock of sheep together. As each one tries, the sheep ignore every attempt. Then the sheep farmer steps up and begins to call and the sheep perk up their ears, listen and come running.  Sheep  know the voice of their shepherd.  That is what Jesus was illustrating here by telling the people that those who are known by Jesus because of their faith in Him also know His voice when He calls us.  That is why, when we are willing to listen, we will hear Jesus call us. It may be through the tug in our heart or the stirring of our thoughts and our conscience by the Holy Spirit.  If we know the Lord Jesus, we will recognize the call and we will know know that God is prodding us to move this way or that and to follow Him by observing His words of instruction.  Following Jesus means we are listening for His voice and hearing its we are seeking His direction for the decisions that direct our steps and make our path straight.  

Watch how sheep listen, hear and respond to the shepherd's voice. 2:00 

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March 18 – He Knows Us, We Know Him

“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,”   John 10:14  (NASB)

Jesus had said that He was giving His Life for us so that we might have access to becoming one of His. We have accepted what Jesus did for us in dying on the cross and by faith we have become His sheep.  The visual image of sheep appears often in both Old Testament and in Jesus' teaching in the New Testament.  Jesus considered those who believed in Him as His flock like sheep and Himself as our Good Shepherd.  In our verse today we are reminded that Jesus knows each one of us who are following Him today.  He knows who  we are and what each one of us needs.  He knows what we are thinking and what our motives are.  Yes, our good Lord is our good shepherd and He'll be watching us as we follow Him today.  Let's follow Him closely.  In our verse Jesus also says that His sheep know Him.  How wonderful to know Him today.  And to trust Him to meet our needs.  

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May 26 – Hearing. Knowing. Following.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;” John 10:27 (NASB)

One of the many things Jesus spoke of Himself to help people understand His mission was that He was the Good Shepherd. It was very common in that day and people knew how important a shepherd's job was. Today's verse are words spoken by Jesus and recorded in the Gospel of John. We believe that everyone who believes in Jesus as Savior enters into the relationship pictured in this verse. What we mean is that by believing in Jesus we become one of his flock and we can think of Him as our shepherd. Jesus said in our verse that His sheep listen to His voice. This means that He is speaking to us. He is not just up in heaven and far away. He knows us and is talking to us right now. It also reminds us that we should be listening to hear our Lord speaking to us and following what He is telling us.  This is a wonderful provision.  Jesus has thoughts to share with us. We don't have to go through a day without hearing His voice in our spirit. Let's be sure we're within hearing range so that we can hear Him today.

September 17 – Providing Rest

“I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord.” Ezekiel 34:15 (NIV)

Shepherds were very common in the world during the days that these words of the Bible were written. God often spoke of Himself as our Shepherd. As the sheep followed their Shepherd, God wants us to follow Him and trust Him to provide what we need – even the times of rest. We can picture a flock of sheep relaxing in a nice cool place after feeding on the grass and drinking from the cool stream. With all their needs supplied the sheep can enjoy a good rest. This is what our Lords wants to do for us. He wants us to pause and relax trusting that all our needs are taken care of by Him for He is our shepherd, our Good Shepherd.

May 20 – All the Details Are Known

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—” John 10:14  (NIV)

We remember that when Jesus was here on earth he told his followers that He is the Good Shepherd. God used this and other familiar images to help us understand His character and love for us. So we believe that if we are true followers of Jesus, He knows us each personally by name. And that is just a small part of what He knows about us. He knows our thoughts. He knows our feelings. He knows what we thinking today. He also knows our needs and He knows how to meet our needs. This is a promise which Jesus gave us when he ministered among us on earth. Yes, even though we are many and we are different in many ways our Lord Jesus knows all the details about each of us. And, he loves us still and is anxious to demonstrate to us how He loves us. Remember, He so loved the world, and that means all and he wants us to know Him today.

December 18

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV)

When Jesus was here He sometimes made statements to reveal His purpose for coming. One such statement was made in connection with His teaching about Himself as the Good Shepherd. As the Good Shepherd Jesus laid down His life for us His sheep. That is how you and I can have life – eternal life. If you have trusted in Him as your Savior, you do have this eternal life. But did you notice that He added some more words? He said He came that we might have life to the full – full of all the joy and peace that He can give. So when you think of the Babe in Bethlehem, remember we can have life full of blessing because He came.

September 1

“You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.” Ezekiel 34:31 (NIV)

We realize that God loves us even though He knows that we are not perfect. He knows us just as He knew His people in Old Testament days. What the Lord told His followers in Ezekiel’s day can be applied to us today. He knows who we are. He knows where we came from. He says we are his people and what he means is that we are human. Just as sheep left on their own will wander off and get lost or even killed by wild animals, God knows we make mistakes and sometimes fail Him. But in spite of our weaknesses or failings, He is patient with us and loves us. He still wants us to remember that He is our God. He is not ashamed to be known as our God.

July 7

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”  John 10:11 (NIV)
“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.”  John 10:18a (NIV)

Do you sometimes wonder if God really cares about the problems you encounter? These words remind us that He does care. If you have believed in this Jesus you are one of His sheep. Jesus gave His life to bring you into the fold. It is wonderful to know that He offered Himself for us. That is what He said about the way He lay down his life for us, His sheep, cannot we trust Him to do what is best for us every day? The love that inspired Him to willingly die for us continues to work in our behalf today.

May 20

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”  Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)

There is something very personal about the way our Lord deals with His followers. In the Old Testament God showed His personal interest in His people many times, as he did here through Isaiah.  We know that the truth of this applies to us, too, because Jesus spoke of Himself as calling His own sheep by their names. Our Lord knows us each by name and that is not all that He knows about us.  He knows everything, our thoughts, our desires, our needs. All this expresses a personal relationship with each of us. The Lord says we are His. We belong to Him as individuals and that is why he knows us.