Good

"I am the good shepherd," John 10:14.

Says who? Says Jesus. So, what makes a good shepherd good? Consider a hired hand, for example. A hired hand's just looking for a job when he finds this one. Has no vested interest in the sheep. And here's the deal: Not only do sheep wander off mindless, but the wolf prowls in the background looking to feed his face. So. The wolf comes. The hired hand sees the wolf ... and puts the sheep between himself and the wolf. And the wolf snatches the sheep. And the other shepherd? Same scenario. But the other shepherd puts himself between the sheep and the wolf. And offers his life to the wolf for the sheep's safety. That's what we call vested interest. And, Yes. That's what makes him good.

When we meet up with a brother or sister today, we tell of our shepherd, the good one, who gathered us and laid down his life for us. And, together, we give thanks to God for his goodness.