Introduction: « Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, takes care of His sheep », because He loves His own people and carries them close to His heart. For
God’s assurance for His sheep is most certain because He is Faithful and True, according to His words: « I am the way, and the truth, and the life » Jn
14:6a. Humankind surely needs a Shepherd to watch over their lives, for people who do not know Jesus as the Good Shepherd are wandering like stray sheep that do not know their way because of sin, as it is written, « since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God » Rom 3:23. There are also
many impostors and deceivers, and the devil moreover « […] prowls around, looking for someone to devour » (1 Pet 5:8b). Fortunately, Jesus came to « […] seek out and to save the lost » Lk 19:10. Jesus did in fact agree to be a surrogate victim, saying « I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep » Jn 10:11. His Life is his holy blood, which was shed for the forgiveness of sins (Mt 26:28) an eternal covenant of redemption for those who, believing, become His close friends, so that he calls them in these terms « Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost » Lk 15:6.
For this main reason, God assures us that He cares for his sheeps as the apple of His eye, because they are precious to Him (Deo 32:10b). Therefore,
God stands for his sheep, takes care of them and invigorates them as the psalmist said: “For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture,and
the sheep of his hand » Ps 95:7a. Jesus did in fact agree to be a surrogate victim, saying « I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep » Jn 10:11. His Life is his holy blood, which was shed for the forgiveness of sins (Mt 26:28) an eternal covenant of redemption for those
who, believing, become His close friends, so that he calls them in these terms « Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost » Lk 15:6. For this main reason, God assures us that He cares for his sheeps as the apple of His eye, because they are precious to Him (Deo 32:10b). Therefore, God stands for his sheep, takes care of them and invigorates them as the psalmist said: “For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture,and the sheep of his hand » Ps 95:7a. Consequently, in front of the wars and struggles that His people are facing, the Lord commands them: « Therefore do not worry, saying, What will we eat?’ […] or ‘What will we wear?’ […] But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well » Mt 6:31-33. Although the devil is « a thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy », Jesus came « […]that they may have life, and have it abundantly » Jn 10:10. So blessed are the sheep who have Him as their Lord and God, for He assures them that they can say, « The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters » Ps 23:1-2. That is eternal assurance and peace !
Monday, 19th: Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, provides for his sheep and cares for them.
« I myself will search for my sheep […] » Ezek 34:11.
Reading 1: Lk 15:1-7. Reading 2: Ezek 34:11-16. Preaching 1 (optional). Preaching 2: Ezek 34:11.
Introduction: Jesus’ heart is deeply connected to His disciples. So, when « Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to
the end » Jn 13:1b. But Jesus truly knows His, so He gives them eternal life and « no one will snatch them out of my hand » Jn 10:28b. God
does not minimize taking care of His sheep, so that they may be assured that God will not forsake or abandon them (Heb 13:5b). This is
what the Apostle Peter said, « Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you » 1 Pet 5:7.
Tuesday 20th: Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd, secures His sheep and makes a covenant of atonement for them.
« Lord Jesus […] by the blood of the eternal covenant » Heb 13:20b.
Reading 1: Isa 49:8-13. Reading 2: Heb 13:20-21. Preaching 1 (optional). Preaching 2: Heb 13:20.
Introduction: The redemptive work of Jesus, the Best Shepherd, is complete and unchanging, for He accepted to shed His blood for the
forgiveness of our sins (Heb 9:22b), according to the words of the Apostle Peter: « He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so
that, free from sins » 1 Pet 2:24a. So, when He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, He did not forsake those who believed in
Him, but still prayed for them (Rom 8:34).
Wednesday, 21st: Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd, takes care of his sheep and feeds them.
« I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly » Jn 10:10b.
Reading 1: Isa 26:12-19. Reading 2: Jn 10:1-10. Preaching 1 (optional). Preaching 2: Jn 10:10.
Introduction: Jesus really feeds His sheep because He loves them. For His resurrection is not only for earthly life but for life everlasting.
So, Jesus said, « My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish […] » Jn
10:27-28.
Thursday, 22nd: Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, ensures the sheep and protects them.
« The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him » Ps 34:7a.
Reading 1: Mt 10:22-33. Reading 2: Ps 34:1-10. Preaching 1 (optional). Preaching 2: Ps 34:7.
Introduction: Jesus cares for His sheep because He does not want any of His sheep to be lost. For He did come to seek and to save the
lost (Lk 19:10), the lost sheep who do not know their way, and are easily preyed upon by many wolves (1 Pet 5:8). Thus, Jesus protects
His sheep from being torn to pieces, saying: “No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 What my Father has given me is greater than
all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand” Jn 10:28d-29. But those who dwell in His bosom can truly say, « The Lord is
my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer » Ps 18:2a.
Friday, 23rd: Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd, takes care of his sheep and denies himself.
« The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep » Jn 10:11b.
Reading 1: Isa 46: 3-10. Reading 2: Jn 10: 11-16. Preaching 1 (optional). Preaching 2: Jn 10:11.
Introduction: Jesus agreed to take care of His sheep, saying to His disciples, « No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for
one’s friends » Jn 15:13. He fulfilled this self -sacrificing love by giving His life as a sacrifice for them (Jn 13:1). Blessed are His sheep
who follow in His footsteps and become » [men] who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ » Act 15:26.
Saturday, 24th: Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, guarantees His sheep eternal life.
« I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you » Jer 31:3b.
Reading 1: Heb 13:5-6. Reading 2: Jer 31:1-6. Preaching 1 (optional). Preaching 2: Jer 31:3.
Introduction: Jesus Christ is the “great Shepherd with the blood of an everlasting covenant from the dead” to eternal life (Heb 13:20).
His good and righteous blood guarantees this eternal covenant, which is sealed by His words, « For God so loved the world that he gave
his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life » Jn 3:16.
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