Today's Reading: John 10:11-16

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 32:15-35; Luke 6:39-49

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11) 

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. "I am the good shepherd," says Jesus. That seems to mean that there are some bad shepherds, too. How do you know which shepherd is good or bad? A bad shepherd is not concerned with the well-being of the sheep. A bad shepherd will really only live for himself at the expense of the sheep he is supposed to care for. A bad shepherd comes to steal and rob the sheep. However, do not be deceived: The bad shepherds among you will also speak in ways that will sound very attractive, all while causing us to wander further and further away from the Good Shepherd. 

The Good Shepherd, on the other hand, cares for the sheep. But He does so in ways that seem unreasonable to most shepherds. He follows the one lost sheep through rugged terrain far and wide in order to bring him back to the fold. The Good Shepherd tells us, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself" (John 12:23). 

As our Good Shepherd is lifted up on the Cross it may seem as if He has abandoned His sheep and failed them. However, in the Cross of Jesus Christ we are drawn safely to His side. We have the Good Shepherd who seeks us out to bring each one of us, His lost sheep, safely home to His fold. Sheltered and secure in His goodness and love, we lack nothing. We are His and He is ours, now and forever. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for the Third Sunday of Easter)

-Rev. Kent Schaaf is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Little Rock, AR.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Duane Bamsch

Over eight sessions, The Messiah: Revealing Jesus in the Old Testament will lead you through the entirety of the Old Testament with daily readings, questions, and discussion prompts. After a brief introduction that reviews Christ's earthly ministry, you will dive into the heart of the Holy Books that have spiritually nourished God's people from creation to today! Now available from Concordia Publishing House.