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Today’s Theme for Prayer – Jesus Desires to Save Me
How Do I Allow Jesus to Act Freely in Me?
Jn 10:7-18
So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came [before me] are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”
Grace Prayed For
Intimacy: Desire a deeper, more personal relationship with Jesus. Pray for the grace to know Him more intimately and to be known by Him. Ask for a heart that is attuned to His presence and a mind that is receptive to His teachings.
Secure in His Care: Trusting the Good Shepherd
This passage from John 10:7-18 paints a powerful and intimate picture of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. He declares Himself the only true gate to salvation, contrasting Himself with those who seek to exploit and destroy. This image evokes a sense of security and protection, knowing that in Him, we find a safe haven.
Jesus’s words, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly,” resonate deeply with our longing for a life filled with purpose and joy. He doesn’t merely offer survival; He offers a life overflowing with His presence and blessings.
The image of the Good Shepherd laying down His life for the sheep speaks of a love that is sacrificial and unconditional. It’s a love that seeks our well-being, even at great cost. This love is not passive; it actively protects, guides, and nourishes.
The intimacy of the Shepherd knowing His sheep and them knowing Him speaks to the personal relationship Jesus desires with each of us. He knows our needs, our fears, and our deepest longings. He calls us by name and invites us to follow Him.
This passage also hints at the universality of God’s love. Jesus speaks of “other sheep that do not belong to this fold,” indicating that His love extends beyond any boundaries or limitations. He desires to gather all into one flock, united under His care.
As we reflect on these words, we’re invited to consider our own relationship with the Good Shepherd. Do we trust Him as our protector and guide? Do we hear His voice and follow where He leads? Do we recognize His love for us, a love that led Him to lay down His life?
This passage calls us to surrender to the Shepherd’s care, to find rest in His presence, and to experience the abundant life He offers. It’s a call to intimacy, to know Him deeply and to be known by Him.
May we, like sheep following their Shepherd, walk confidently in His love and find peace in His presence.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Seeking Abundant Life in Him: Jesus desires that you have life, and have it abundantly. This promise invites you to seek fulfillment and purpose in Him, not in the fleeting things of this world. As you draw closer to Him, you’ll experience the true richness and joy He offers.
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post