Football And Shepherds

Football And Shepherds

Bible: John 10:11-15

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (V.11).

Reading

I love football! I love following my team and visiting different grounds round the country. I always enjoy hearing the home team’s anthem being played and sung by the home fans at the start of a match. All sorts of random songs can end up as a team’s anthem. But the most surprising may belong to West Bromwich Albion: their anthem is Psalm 23! It’s a song in the Bible all about the care of God, our Shepherd.

In Psalm 23, David the psalm writer says, “The Lord is my shepherd” (V.1). Later in the Bible, Matthew (one of the gospel writers) tells us, “When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (MATTHEW 9:36). And in John 10, Jesus explained His love and concern for us, His “sheep”. “I am the good shepherd,” He said. “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (V.11). Jesus’ love for us brought Him to earth so we could know Him—and drove Him to the cross where He sacrificed Himself to save us.

“The Lord is my shepherd” is more than old song words or a good slogan. It is the confidence that comes from being known and loved by our great God—and from being rescued by His Son.

AS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD, JESUS HAS GIVEN EVERYTHING FOR HIS SHEEP.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries