The Good Shepherd

Sometimes the Lord Jesus is called "The Chief Shepherd," and those who follow Him are called the sheep of His pasture. He said, "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for His sheep." Jesus died for us, to take away our sins. If you will repent and believe on Him, you also can be called one of His sheep. He died, but in three days He rose from the dead. He overcame death. He lives now forever. Satan is like a wolf that wants to kill the sheep. Those who do not teach the truth, or who try to lead us away from God are like thieves. They want to steal heaven from us so we cannot go there. They are not like the Good Shepherd. Jesus cares for us day and night. He will never leave us. He is leading us to the fold (shelter), which is heaven. If we follow Him, He will take us there when we die.

We know that some day Jesus is going to come down from heaven with power (and glory) to reign over the earth. He will give a great reward to those who follow Him even to death. When will He come back? No one knows the time. But He said, "I will come back at a time when no one expects Me." Because of this, prepare yourselves, be ready. Whosoever wants this Good Shepherd may have Him and can follow Him even unto death.

Those who do not leave their sins and believe on Jesus are not His sheep. When He returns to take His followers to heaven, He will not take them. He will say to them, "Go away from Me, you who continued in your sins. I never knew you. You do not belong to Me." And they will be put into the place of fire that God has prepared for Satan. There will always continue to be crying and groaning and suffering in that place, and there is no way to get out of it.

Do not wait until that day comes. There will be no opportunity to repent then. It will be too late. Turn to Jesus today and let Him cleanse the sin from your heart. Follow Him. Obey His words. He takes care of His sheep well. Get ready now. Remember the words of Jesus which say:

"I tell you the truth. I am the door of the sheep. All others that have come are thieves and robbers. But the sheep did not follow them. I am the door. By Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved. He shall walk about, and find food for his heart. The thief comes not but to steal and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep."

Refs: John 10:11, Matt.24:44, Matt. 7:23, John 10:7-11