John 10 By Christian Ranicke
My name is Christian Ranicke and I am one of the 8th grade boy leaders. I am a senior in college at UWM and work on the tech team at CrossWay Church.
This week, we are looking at John 10 where Jesus uses the image of a shepherd to explain His relationship with His followers. The Old Testament often refers to leaders of Israel as shepherds, but they were bad shepherds because of their wicked and selfish ways. Jesus, on the other hand, is the good shepherd and is personally invested in His sheep. John 10 says that He calls them by name, goes before them, gives them abundant life, and lays down His life for His sheep. He is not like a hired hand who does not own the sheep and flees when trouble comes. He stays and fights for His sheep and lays down His life for them.
As sheep, it is so comforting to know that our shepherd cares for us like no one else. He is with us when trouble comes our way and He fights on our behalf. And He never loses! John 10:28 says “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Because of our relationship with Christ, our good shepherd, we have the assurance of eternal life and no one can take us away from Him.