A Daily Devotional – John Ten – Personal Meditation (3)

A Daily Devotional – John Ten – Personal Meditation

Comment: Yesterday I challenged us to read John 10:7-30, did you take the challenge? I hope so since we will spend at least one more day looking at the Christ/Messiah as He is the Good Shepherd. There are many shepherds, but only one GOOD SHEPHERD. This morning my plan is to focus on the ‘Eternal Power’ of the Good Shepherd verses the power some claim to have today. Our daily stake in life is physical; that is, if we are awake, we are physically awake, if we are working we are physically working. And this physical thing about us, goes no further than that. The power we display throughout the day never goes beyond the ability of our physical nature and we are bound (limited) to abide within this arena. This is safe for us; to seek to go beyond is dangerous (see Acts 19:15) And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" The context of Acts 19:11-20 will add clarity.

Devotional: Not only is Jesus the Good Shepherd, He is also the TRUE Shepherd (John 10:1-7). There are many religions, isms, cults and people groups; most all claim that the shepherd they follow is ‘true’. So, the question, one or maybe two? Are all religions, isms, cult and people groups “true”? Even the fool is considered wise if he or she keeps quiet, so it is best to remain silent if you believe that each of these groups have a true shepherd (Proverbs 17:28).

It may very well be that people (men and women) express to have power worthy enough to gain a following. These folks do good works, they create benevolent agendas and they cleverly control all who follow them. The powers they claim are “first” human or natural and “second” super-human or super-natural, but they all die a natural death. Jesus discusses this with the Jews who sought to stone Him (John 10:31-39 and compare Psalm 82:6-7).

Notice this one important comment made by John the Baptizer in John 1:15 – This is He of whom I said. He who comes after me is preferred (ranks higher) before me, for He was before me. Also see John 1:27 for a similar comment. Jesus was not first a human; Christ/Messiah was and is first God; who secondly took on human flesh and John 10:17-18, reveals this Truth. “My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life (for My sheep) that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."

 

Follow if you wish the pathway of the human mind, its end is eternal death, the Second death, that which is dead cannot breathe life. Or, turn to the True and Good Shepherd and hear the words of Everlasting and Eternal Life and Live. Notice what the apostle Peter has to say about this ‘abundant life’ – 1 Peter 1:3-5.