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By Mike Caton

John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—”

Jesus tells us twice he is the good shepherd. What is it that makes a good shepherd? Is it his ability to find good pasture? To find good water the sheep can drink from? Is it his ability to protect the sheep from thieves, robbers, wild animals, and such? Is it that he is a good doctor to the injured or the sick? Is it that he has a good knowledge of the land where he leads the sheep? Is it that he has a good staff, a good shepherd suit of clothes, or something else?

Jesus gives us the real key to being a good shepherd here, he knows his sheep and his sheep know him. You see, it is about a relationship that exists between the two. If the shepherd does not know and love the sheep, he is not going to lead them to the best places, he is not going to do his best to protect them, he is not going to recognize their needs, and so forth. And if the sheep do not know the shepherd, do not love him, they are not going to allow him to lead them, to care for them, they won’t trust him. It is all about the relationship. It is about learning and loving one another.

The questions then demands to be answered. Is Jesus your shepherd? Are you his sheep? Many people would answer yes to those questions without hesitation. And yet, they certainly are not in a true relationship with him. They only pay lip service, they can talk a good game, but when it really comes to knowing the shepherd, to listening to his voice, to following him, there is much left to be desired. This is not a question of perfection, it is a matter of commitment. Just how committed are we, you and I, to Jesus as our good shepherd?

Father, help me be a good sheep. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mike Caton is the preacher at Mount Olive Church of Christ in Belhaven. He volunteers at the Ponzer Fire Department and works part time with Hyde County EMS. If you would like to receive daily devotions in your inbox, email mikecaton@centurylink.net.

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