I recently spoke about the Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. To illustrate this, I took my Pastoral Staff. Here are some of my speaking notes for the Chapel Service at The Hutchins School:
Jesus is the Good Shepherd
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. “John 10: 11-14 (NIV)
What does a shepherd do?
Looks after sheep
How?
By being watchful, alert
Caves/responsible for the sheep
(a) Shepherd’s staff
To help rescue sheep when tangled in a bush
Keeps the sheep’s head above water in a drenching dip
To fight off wild dogs
(b) Shepherd’s lantern
So the shepherd can see at night
(c) Shepherd leads the sheep to good pasture and water
In many ways and by many means, a shepherd protects and nurtures his sheep
In a similar way, Jesus is like a shepherd to us because He:
Watches over us
Leads us to a way of life that is healthy, purposeful, caring
Jesus is the Good Shepherd
Who wants the very best for your life
Who wants you to live with joy and
Who gives meaning to your life
Jesus is always there for you!
