John 10 "Raving Mad"

John 10 - Brandon Hatmaker - “Raving Mad”

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” Vs. 11-13

What an amazing word picture Jesus is painting. He reminds us that the “hired hand” abandons the sheep when he sees the wolf coming. But Jesus is the shepherd. He stands guard and not only protects life, but offers it. He’s not a “hired hand”. He is creator of life. He owns the sheep. He is vested in the sheep. He loves what is His.

I’m given so much comfort through these verses today. I guess that’s why it seems so odd for me to read later about the people’s response in verse 19 and 20, “At these words the Jews were again divided. Many of them said, "He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?"

I guess that’s why Paul said what he did in 1 Corinthians, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."

Thank you Jesus that you draw closer and closer to us. You do not abandon us in our place of desperation. Thank you God that your fullness is revealed through Jesus.