50 Days of Wisdom

Scripture gives many reasons why Jesus came. And one of the more direct reasons is given in John's gospel, chapter 10 and verse 10, where Jesus says, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." However, we get the full picture when we read the opening eleven verses of John chapter 10, which is known as the Good Shepherd discourse: Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he's a thief and a robber. He who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers. This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them. So Jesus said to them again, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I come that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.'" Now, this is a very vivid picture that our Lord paints. It's a figure of speech. In other words, He's giving us a physical, temporal, earthly illustration of a spiritual reality. It features the idea of a shepherd who comes to take his sheep out of a fold and set them loose in the pasture. This is a picture of the work of our Lord in gathering His own elect redeemed people. It's a profoundly rich section of theology. Now, because sheep had value, a shepherd had a responsibility that they needed to fulfill. But it was dirty, low, unskilled and dangerous work because you might have to engage a robber or a wild animal. And yet it had high expectations. Shepherds had the responsibility to make sure the sheep were fed and protected in the pasture. So they were feeding and guarding the sheep with constant vigilance, fearless courage, patience, and love for the flock, all of which are the necessary characteristics of a good shepherd. On the one hand, we think of the lowliness of a shepherd; but on the other hand, God identifies Himself as a shepherd because their responsibility was so very important due to the value of the sheep. So God demonstrates that He is a faithful shepherd and that He will do what shepherds must do: one, feed the flock; and two, protect the flock. Throughout the Old and New Testaments there are many references to God being a shepherd. And one of the most familiar is Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. And even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." That is all rich shepherd language. So why did Jesus come? Because the sheep are the elect, and their good shepherd has come for them. Repent and believe! GTY.org (81-134) – The Life-Giving Shepherd

Today's Wisdom

Day: 947

June 18, 2026

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My name is Mark Paul from Wauchula, Florida, and like the Apostle Peter said in 2 Peter 1:14, "I know that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent." Consequently, my goal is to leave a legacy that will continue to advance the kingdom of God long after I have departed. In other words, bear fruit for eternity. And by simply reading and sharing my free eBooks, you too become contributors to the advancement of His kingdom. Thank you for partaking in this endeavor, and I look forward to greeting you on heaven's shore.

The Truth in Love,

Mark Paul - Servant of God

Now grant, O Lord, that when the souls who read these books cast their eyes upon these lines, their minds may be illuminated and their consciences convinced and awakened, that they may see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and be converted so that You may heal them. Amen