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PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

Study 28– September 24th to 30th 2007.
Reading – John Chapter Ch10: verses 11-21.

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep.  So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away.___ I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father- and I lay down my life for the sheep. ” John Chapter 10: verses 11 to 12 and verse14 and 15. (NIV)

Never alone or abandoned.

I remember way back as a young child my brother leaving me in the middle of the road and hiding behind the corner to see how I would react. It was only a joke, but it has remained in my memory ever since. To be abandoned is to feel alone, vulnerable and isolated. That’s the memory I have of this moment.
 
There are many who continue to feel this way today. I have my moments when this happens even today. When we lose a partner, break up a relationship, fall out with our children, lose our job, or sit in hospital without a visitor, it is easy to feel alone and abandoned. There are some elderly in our community who have died in their flats without anyone knowing. How sad to be abandoned like that in our world today.

Jesus tells us in our reading today that he is a good shepherd who will lay down his life for his followers. Jesus says that he knows us, cares for us and will never abandon us? How can Jesus say this? He can for the simple reason that he lives even today; that he rose from the dead and promised to be with us to the end of time. (See Matthew Chapter 28: verse 20).
There are many times when I can be alone, but know that Jesus is with me. The same can be true for anyone who trusts in and follows Jesus. To have a friend who is with you always is an incredible strength in life.
At various times in our life we have all been let down by a friend, officer or family member who has deserted us when we needed it. Hired hands never have the ownership or the attachment to stick it out when the going gets dangerous. We can see how this analogy works on a farm with sheep.

Jesus wants us to see that he is not like this.
There is a repetition in our reading about Jesus laying down his life for us. This is because his death is the focal point of his life. In each of the 4 records of Jesus’ life in the New Testament they all devote a major portion to the events of his trial, crucifixion and rising again.

Jesus’ death and rising again was not just for him. His death was to meet the just demands of God. Our rebellion, pride and disobedience must be punished. He died for this and for us. His rising from the dead shows that sin and death have been overcome and by faith in him we too can share in his victory of new life. All we need to do is to trust in this for ourselves, turn back to God and live in fellowship with God..
So the risen Jesus will never abandon us, even at death.
For me this is the purpose of life; to live in the presence of God and to enjoy the good gifts God gives each day.

Prayer
Gracious Father, we rest in the knowledge and experience that you never abandon us.
Help us to be people who are reliable and faithful in all our relationships. Amen.

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