John 10: 11-12 I Am The Good Shepherd

“‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep’” (John 10: 11-12) .....Jesus reminds us that He really loves us and is willing to lay down His very life for us, His sheep. “Palestinian shepherd might risk danger for his sheep (see Ge. 31:39; 1Sa 17:34–37), but he expected to come through alive. Jesus said that the good shepherd will die for his sheep” (Concordia Self-Study Bible. (Jn 10:11)). But in a way Jesus did come out of this confrontation with the devil alive! He is not like the hired shepherd who is being paid just to watch the sheep. That kind of “employee” will bolt at the first sign of personal danger and leave the flock exposed. He is a bad shepherd. He has no investment in the sheep. It is hardly a bother to him even if some of them are killed. Jesus invests His life in the welfare of the flock up to and including the giving of His very life. .....What kind of shepherd am I turning out to be? How am I doing shepherding my loving wife? How good am I at shepherding each of my children? What about my shepherding of the church flock? How am I shepherding myself? God is patiently instructing me in the caring process. He is shaping me from a hireling into a good shepherd. I first heard the words “pastoral formation” while I was watching an ITunes University podcast as I prepared to take a qualifier examination. The professor mentioned that we could get through the seminary academically and not be changed but if we really wanted to get the most benefit we could be open to being formed. It was right then that I decided to let the seminary form me. Form me, God, into the kind of shepherd that cares for the flock including myself. .....God, I am not worthy to be counted as one of your shepherds but here you are calling me into this service. Please make me bold when I need to be. Bold enough to lay down my very life for your gospel message. Sometimes I feel so much like a hireling. I want to bolt at the first sign of trouble but the sheep need me, their shepherd. They come expecting to be fed and cared for. Help me to do just that. AMEN