The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am
the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a
shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf
snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep” (John
10:10-13 ESV).
Jesus calls the leaders of His institutions (family, church, and government) to be good shepherds who are
motivated by pleasing the Lord and doing what is right for the people they serve. Governing authorities
are the shepherds of government and are called to lead as a good shepherd; willing to do what is best for
the people they represent and the nation.
According to John 10, mankind’s natural tendency is to lead as a thief or a hireling, both of which are
false identities from the evil one. These wrong motives of power and fame and love for the approval of
people will lead to envy, disorder, and dissatisfaction. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, came to lay down His life
for His sheep so that we would have abundant life.
Prayer Points
