Our Good Shepherd

 In this verse, we hear an echo of John's prophetic words: "This is the sacrificial lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world." In this passage, we catch a glimpse of the approaching Cross, where the good Shepherd will lay down His life for the sheep, and not only for the lost sheep of the house of Israel but also for His other sheep which are outside the fold. Our Good Shepherd is not only the One Who guards and guides, feeds and protects us, but He is also the sacrificial offering Who laid down His life for the sheep.
 Ever since the exodus from Egypt, innocent lambs were sacrificed to make atonement for the sins of mankind. Mankind's sins however, were only covered until the promised Messiah would arrive on the scene. Prophets, priests, and kings foretold of the coming Good Shepherd of Israel Who would also become the sacrificial offering for the sins of the whole world.
 In the past, it was an innocent little lamb who died as a temporary covering for human's guilty sins, but here we read that it is the innocent Shepherd (God incarnate) Who lay down His sinless life for all lost and guilty sinners who will trust in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and that He knows those that are the sheep of His pasture. Thank You that in Your grace, Jesus came to lay down His life for us. We pray that we may live our lives to His praise and glory. This we ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.