This past weekend, we continued our journey through the I AM statements with one of Jesus’ most tender declarations: “I am the Good Shepherd.”

Shepherds in Jesus’ day didn’t simply watch sheep from a distance. They lived among them, knew them, guided them, and protected them. The shepherd’s voice meant safety, direction, and care. Jesus says that’s who He is for us.

But He goes further: The Good Shepherd doesn’t just guide the flock. He lays down His life for it. This is not hired help. This is deep, personal, sacrificial love.

Key Takeaways:

Jesus knows His own fully and personally. Your name is not lost in the crowd.

Following Jesus means learning to recognize and trust His voice over every other voice.

The cross is not a symbol of defeat, but the Shepherd giving His life to save His sheep.

You don’t just belong to Jesus. You are protected, valued, and known.

Up Next: “I AM: The Resurrection and the Life”

When hope seems gone and death feels final, Jesus speaks a greater promise: life beyond death and life even now. We’ll see how He meets us in our grief, our questions, and our waiting, and calls us to trust Him with our whole lives.