Loved by the Good Shepherd

<p>Who helped you understand the love of Jesus? For me, it was a woman I’ll call “Amelia,” a youth group leader I had at church. She provided conversation, encouragement, water, food, and sometimes a place to sleep if someone’s own home wasn’t a safe place. To be</p><p>honest, I remember her practical care more clearly than any Bible lesson she ever taught, and her faithful care and listening ear helped me grow in my Christian faith. She gave me a tangible picture of Christ’s love for me and for the church as a whole.</p><p>.</p><p>It is interesting that God seems concerned that His people are known for their practical and even mundane care for each other: providing water, clothes, and visits in times of suffering. That’s probably why, just a few chapters before today’s passage, Jesus said that loving God and loving our neighbor are not only the two most important commandments, but also the motive behind every part of the Old Testament (Matthew 22:37-40).</p><p>.</p><p>And Jesus fulfills the entire Old Testament. He embodies God’s love as the Good Shepherd who cares for us, who are His sheep (John 10:11). In Psalm 23, we see how the Good Shepherd provides His flock with water, food, and safe places to rest. As Christians, we are called to follow His example by caring for one another.</p><p>.</p><p>So, even in the busyness of our days, let us remember that the gospel (the good news of Jesus) is made clear not just by our words but also through our love for each other. And this love comes from the wellspring of God’s deep love for us as shown when Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave to rescue us from sin and death. It is only when we rest in the love and work of our Good Shepherd that we may truly love others well. • Kandi Zeller</p><p>.</p><p>• Who is a Christian in your life who has shown Jesus’s love to you? Consider taking a moment to thank God for what they’ve done, and maybe thank the person too!</p><p>.</p><p>• What are some tangible ways you can show Jesus’s love to your siblings in Christ?</p><