Leading The Way - Devotional for May 4
May 4, 2025
The Good Shepherd
By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.
Read John 10:11-18.
With this “I am” statement, Jesus again declared He is the Great I AM—timeless and self-sufficient. But Jesus also pairs His “I am” with two words that would have been considered polar opposites: good and shepherd.
The great, self-sufficient God of the universe stooped down to do the lowliest work of a shepherd—to tend the flock. He stooped down to find us, redeem us from the thief of our soul, Satan, and lead us lovingly back to His fold. He came low to guide us, care for us, embrace us, heal us, protect us, and defend us every day. He’s our Shepherd.
But that's not all. The word good in “the good shepherd” is all-encompassing. The phrase could be translated “the lovely shepherd,” “the beautiful shepherd,” “the noble shepherd,” or “the genuine shepherd,” for the term reveals Jesus’ inexplicable and comprehensive love for His sheep. It reveals His total sufficiency for His sheep—He is all His sheep will ever need.
Jesus’ character is all anyone could ever want; He loves completely without condition or reservation. He lays down His life that we might “have it to the full” (John 10:10). He is not like the thief, who “comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (v. 10), not like false teachers who lead people astray—away from salvation in Christ. Neither is He like the wolf (Satan), who “attacks the flock and scatters it” (v. 12). Rather, Jesus brings us together and sustains us with His Word. Lastly, Jesus is not like the hired hand, who works only for a paycheck. The hireling is concerned with his own wellbeing and does not sacrifice for the sake of the sheep in his care. But Jesus willingly died for us, His sheep, so that we might have life (see v. 11)!
Jesus’ concern for us is all-inclusive. He is constantly protecting and defending us, and He’ll never stop. He knows our burdens and what causes us to stumble, so He knows how to bless and encourage us. He knows how to care for each of us individually with unfathomable love and wisdom.
No one can snatch His sheep from Him: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28). His love never gives up—this is the security we have with Jesus as our Good Shepherd!
Prayer: Jesus, thank You that nothing and no one can separate me from Your love. You are my Good Shepherd. I will ever praise You! I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon series The Exclusivity of Jesus: WATCH NOW
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Watch Dr. Michael Youssef on this week's broadcast of Leading The Way at LightSource.com.
