More Than Just a Guide: The Shepherd Who Stays
Pastor Rasol Manouchehri Ardakani - 11 December 2025
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Welcome to Day 11.
Yesterday, we spent some time in the green pastures of Psalm 23. We looked at the beautiful picture of God as a Shepherd who leads and guides us. It is a comforting image, isn't it? But today, we are fast-forwarding a thousand years to the moment when Jesus stands up and effectively says, "I am the one David was writing about."
In John 10, Jesus makes a bold claim. He says, "I am the good shepherd."
In the ancient world, shepherding was a tough job. It wasn't about sitting on a grassy hill playing a flute. It was dangerous. There were wild animals, thieves, and harsh weather. Because of this, there were two types of shepherds.
First, there were the hired hands. These were people doing a job for money. They might look after the sheep when the sun was shining, but the moment a wolf appeared, they were gone. They didn't own the sheep, so they didn't love the sheep. Their own safety was more important to them than the flock.
Then, there was the true shepherd. This was the owner. He knew every sheep by name. He had birthed them, fed them, and cared for their wounds. If a wolf came, he didn't run. He stood between the danger and his flock.
Jesus tells us clearly which one He is. He is the Good Shepherd.
The word "good" here in the original language implies something beautiful and noble. He isn't just competent; He is magnificent. And the proof of His goodness is found in the second half of the verse: "The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
This is where the shadow of the cross falls across the manger.
During Advent, we focus so much on the arrival of Jesus that we can sometimes forget why He arrived. He didn't come just to teach us good morals or to set a good example. He came to deal with the wolves. He came to confront sin, death, and evil—the things that were hunting us down.
He knew that the only way to save the sheep was to sacrifice the Shepherd.
This changes how we view "God With Us." He isn't with us just to hold our hand; He is with us to shield us. He took the blow that was meant for us. He absorbed the danger so that we could be safe.
If you are feeling vulnerable today, or if you feel like life is attacking you from all sides, please remember this: You are not looked after by a hired hand. You are not just a number on a spreadsheet to God. You belong to a Shepherd who has already proved His love in the ultimate way. He didn't run away when things got hard. He stayed. He fought for you. And He is still guarding you today.
We can sleep soundly tonight, not because there are no wolves in the world, but because there is a Shepherd standing at the gate.
Prayer of the Day:
Lord Jesus, thank You for being the Good Shepherd. Thank You that You are not like a hired hand who runs away when trouble comes. We are overwhelmed by the love that drove You to lay down Your life for us. Please help us to feel safe in Your care today. Protect us from the things that would harm our souls, and keep us close to You. Amen.