“我是好牧人;好牧人为羊舍命。” – 约 10:11
耶稣是良善的、伟大的、终极的好牧人,祂的羊就是所有信祂的人。作为好牧人,祂为羊舍命。作为伟大的牧者,祂为羊而活。作为终极的牧者,祂会为自己的羊再来。
耶稣是独一无二的。没有谁能像祂。祂的独特之处是什么呢?就是耶稣为祂的羊舍命。祂为祂的羊牺牲生命,祂为救赎他们而流血。祂死时向父交托了自己的灵魂,好让属祂的羊永远活着。
耶稣忍受了极度的干渴,好让祂的羊能喝到生命之水。祂成了有罪的,好叫祂的羊称义(与神和好)。祂成了受咒诅的,好叫祂的羊得祝福。祂忍受神的忿怒,好让祂的羊领受神的恩典。
那好牧人就是大牧人,祂从死里复活,为祂的羊活着。祂活着乃是要替自己的百姓代求,并要治理他们。
那又好又善的牧人也是终极的牧人,祂将再来,并带来新天新地,在那里“不再有死亡,也不再有悲哀、哭号、疼痛”,祂将与祂的羊永远和睦同住(启21:1-4)。
祷告
主耶和华,你是真正的好牧人。没有什么能把我从你手中夺走。感谢你信实的护理。我赞美你!奉耶稣的名,阿们。
约翰福音 10:11-30
11“我是好牧人,好牧人为羊舍命。
12若是雇工,不是牧人,羊也不是他自己的,他看见狼来,就撇下羊逃走,狼抓住羊,赶散了羊群。
13雇工逃走,因他是雇工,并不顾念羊。
14我是好牧人,我认识我的羊,我的羊也认识我,
15正如父认识我,我也认识父一样;并且我为羊舍命。
16我另外有羊,不是这圈里的,我必须领它们来,它们也要听我的声音,并且要合成一群,归一个牧人了。
17我父爱我,因我将命舍去,好再取回来。
18没有人夺我的命去,是我自己舍的。我有权柄舍了,也有权柄取回来,这是我从我父所受的命令。”
19犹太人为这些话又起了纷争。
20内中有好些人说:“他是被鬼附着,而且疯了!为什么听他呢?”
21又有人说:“这不是鬼附之人所说的话。鬼岂能叫瞎子的眼睛开了呢?”
22在耶路撒冷有修殿节,是冬天的时候。
23耶稣在殿里所罗门的廊下行走。
24犹太人围着他,说:“你叫我们犹疑不定到几时呢?你若是基督,就明明地告诉我们。”
25耶稣回答说:“我已经告诉你们,你们不信。我奉我父之名所行的事可以为我作见证,
26只是你们不信,因为你们不是我的羊。
27我的羊听我的声音,我也认识他们,他们也跟着我。
28我又赐给他们永生,他们永不灭亡,谁也不能从我手里把他们夺去。
29我父把羊赐给我,他比万有都大,谁也不能从我父手里把他们夺去。
30“我与父原为一。”
Jesus, The Shepherd
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” – John 10:11
Jesus is the good, the great, and the supreme shepherd of his sheep—and his sheep are all who believe in him. As the good shepherd, he gives his life for the sheep. As the great shepherd, he lives for the sheep. And as the supreme shepherd, he will return for the sheep.
Jesus is unique. There is no other like him. What does his uniqueness consist of? It is that Jesus gave his life for his sheep. He died for his sheep. He shed his blood to redeem them. He poured out his soul in death so that his sheep could live forever.
Jesus suffered cruel thirst so that his sheep could drink the water of life. He was made to be sin so that his sheep could be justified (made right with God). He was made to be a curse so that his sheep could be blessed. He endured God’s wrath so that his sheep could receive God’s grace.
The good shepherd is also the great shepherd, who rose from the dead and lives for his sheep. He lives to intercede for them. He lives to reign over them.
The good and great shepherd is also the supreme shepherd, who will come again, bringing the new heaven and earth, where there will be “no more death or mourning or crying or pain,” and he will live together with his sheep forever (Revelation 21:1-4).
Prayer
Lord God, you are the true and good shepherd. Nothing can snatch me out of your hand. Thank you for your faithful care. I praise you! In Jesus’ name, Amen.