Jesus said I am the good shepherd came to lay life for my sheep and continues to say that he is the door that led the sheep to eternal life. In Ephesians 2 Paul briefly explains how our lives were without the true shepherd and how He has changed everything in our lives. Paul says we were walking in the darkness following the course of the world, prince of the power of the air. We were disobedient and followed the passions of the flesh carrying out the desires of our body and mind. As a result of all these by nature we were children of wrath.
But God who is rich in mercy, grace, compassion, full of love laid His life to redeem us from the world and bring us back to the God’s fold. We read in Matthew 18:10-14 Jesus the good shepherd came seeking the lost sheep.
He found the lost one in order to deliver them the power of the sin. By the death of Jesus Christ (the sinless, unblemished lamb of God) he took the punishment on himself to give us a new life. A fresh start.
Paul concludes the message by speaking about the blessings the good shepherd has given to us. Once the people who were enemies of the God now been raised up with Jesus and seated with him in the heavenly realms. Paul reminds us that we are saved by the grace of Lord Jesus and it is not as the result of our work.
Jesus said many had come before him who were not interested in the sheep rather, they exploited the sheep to serve their greed and selfish purposes. Jesus said I have come to give you eternal life. (john 10:1-17) Jesus came so that we shall enjoy the true life (Life in fullness). The life the world is promising is temporary. when world offer you a temporary earthly life, Jesus promised an abundant life that we could experience irrespective of your earthly possessions.
The story of Israelites being delivered from the Egyptians to go to the promise land. God brought them out so that they could worship the Lord. God rescued us from darkness to light to worship Him in truth and spirit.
I would like to conclude this article by looking what our Lord and saviour Christ has done in our lives.
1) He brought us out from the slavery of sin to Righteousness
2) He rescued us from death to life; life of true abundance
3) He gave a new vision to see the life from heavenly perspective
4) He redeemed us from the nature of wrath to the family of God
5) He rescued us from dominion of darkness to kingdom of His son (light). Colossians 1:13