I Am: The Good Shepherd
Ask: How do we take care of a pet (use your own as an example if you have one)?
When you know your pet then it helps you to care for it better. We have a dog and a salamander. Even though they are very different animals, they both have basically the same needs: food, water, shelter, protection and things like that. How we provide those things looks a little different but their basic needs are really identical. We know how to take care of them because we know who they are.
Read: John 10:11-15
Much like we take care of our pets, a shepherd is someone who takes care of sheep. In our scripture today, Jesus tells us that he is the Good Shepherd. But instead of taking care of sheep, Jesus takes care of us! There are many things that Jesus does but he specifically mentions two: 1) he knows us and 2) he gives his life for us.
Did you know that Jesus knows you? He knows everything about you: your thoughts, your feelings, your favorite food, and even how many hairs are on your head. He even knows the bad things, like your sin. He knows it all and he loves you! So much so that he came and gave his life for you to take care of your greatest need – to be forgiven and saved. All of us have done wrong things against God and we can’t earn his forgiveness. We can only be forgiven and saved by trusting that Jesus is God’s Son and he took the punishment we deserve. You can do that today! Ask your mom or dad to help you say “yes” to Jesus and be thankful that he loves you.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that Jesus is our good shepherd, who knows us and gave his life for us so that we can be forgiven and be part of your family. In Jesus name, Amen.