Who Are You, Lord? (Part 3)

John 10:11, 14-15

If you have small children like I do, then you undoubtedly have seen the Disney movie Frozen (we have seen it twice). There is a snowman in the movie named Olaf who introduces himself this way, "My name is Olaf and I like warm hugs!" This got me thinking, you can learn a lot about a person by what they say about themselves. One of the ways we can learn who Jesus is, is by what He says about Himself.

One of the unique ways Jesus described Himself was by using "I am" statements, "I am the bread of life", "I am the light of the world", "I am the way, the truth, and the life" to name just a few. I wonder how people would respond if I introduced myself with "I am" statements. "Hello my name is Tim and I am the true vine" or "Hello my name is Tim and I am the gate." More than likely people would look at me like I was crazy and walk away, fast. Because I want people to like me and talk to me, I refrain from making "I am" statements about myself. But not Jesus, He was bold enough to make "I am" statements about Himself. And, as I think about the question "Who are you, Lord?", what comes to mind is what Jesus said about Himself, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep" (John 10:11).

The occupation of shepherd was no feeble task. A shepherd’s job was tiring, it was manly, and it was often dangerous. Think of David fighting lions and bears to get a sheep back (1 Samuel 17:34-35). Now sheep, when left on their own, are in mortal danger. It is no different with you and me. When left to my own devices I easily get tripped up by my own thoughts, my lusts, my desires, my temptations, my poor decision making, etc. And, like a sheep, I need a good shepherd. The good news is that all of us have a Good Shepherd who is willing to lay down his life for our sin and that is precisely what Jesus did. He came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28) and, in doing so, His death means redemption for us, His sheep!

My name is Tim, "I am" a lost sheep in need of The Good Shepherd! What about you?

~ Tim Hall https://twitter.com/1timothy12 (I encourage feedback, questions & comments - email me at 1timothy46@gmail.com)