Sunday’s Blessing – 03/30/2025 – 4th Sunday of Lent – I AM the Good Shepherd

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/30/2025 – 4th Sunday of Lent – I AM the Good Shepherd

This Fourth Week of Lent brings us to I AM the Good Shepherd. Jesus used this linguistic mechanism of “I AM” to very clearly describe His purpose in being with them. His hearers, being Jews, knew exactly who “I AM” was. It was used in the Old Testament by God Himself to explain who He was to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14) and again in the re-giving of the law (Deuteronomy 32:39). Now Jesus was using this same phrase to describe Himself.

The fourth I AM to consider is found in John 10:11

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

(ESV)

Jesus added some additional descriptors so they would understand that God had finally come near to them. In the Old Testament He was thunder and lightning on the mountain seen from afar. Now, He was truly Emmanuel, God with us, wrapped in human skin so they could touch Him, hear Him speak, and speak with Him – face to face – just like in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve walked with God.

The first few I AMs describe God’s function in being with them – The Bread to bring life, The Light to guide them through life, and The Door to provide entrance back into fellowship with the Father. Now, He is moving into His character. This week we see Him as The Good Shepherd. He was not just a shepherd. It was a common occupation in that day. Shepherds were not upper class, but they were critical to life in caring for the livestock of others. You had to trust someone hired to tend your flocks. Jesus assured them He was a Good Shepherd. He would not only be faithful in His duties of keeping the sheep, but He would make sure they came back better than they left. He would lead them into green pastures, by still waters, and secure places of rest. He would fight off any attackers and tend to their wounds. He does the same for us today. Scripture defines this as zoe life: the kind of life God brings. He makes us whole – spirit, soul, and body.

Now for this week’s blessing:

May you find peace, joy, and love from the Good Shepherd

By allowing Him to provide nourishment, replenishment, and security

Learning submission to His care, which brings complete rest

Letting us see what life at the right hand of the Father looks like

May you learn the art of shepherding well

So you may lead your friends, family, coworkers, and acquaintances

Into the same care which you have received from the Good Shepherd

Allowing them to exist in a painfully cruel world, yet with joy and peace

May you always find ways to keep yourself in remembrance

By utilizing prescribed times like Lent, Passover, or the Lord’s Table

Or other ways which fit your temperament like reading, journaling, etc.

Praying always, which is our communion with Him