The Sheep Know the Shepherd
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
JOHN 10:11
+
The Sheep Know the Shepherd
If you know this Shepherd, you can defend yourself against the devil and death, saying: "Sadly, I have not kept God's Commandments, but I crawl under the wings of this dear hen (my dear Lord Christ [Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34]) and believe that He is my dear Shepherd, Bishop, and Mediator before God, who covers and defends me with His innocence and gives me His righteousness. Whatever I have not kept, He has kept; what is more, whatever I have sinned, He has paid for with His blood," etc. He died and rose again not for Himself but for me, since He says here that He gives His life not for Himself but for His sheep (John 10:11), that is, as St. Peter says, "The righteous died for the unrighteous" (1 Peter 3:18), etc. So, then, you are secure, and the devil along with his hell must leave you alone, for he certainly cannot get anything from Christ, who has already overcome him. He defends and keeps you, if you believe in Him as His lamb.
From the Church Postil, sermon for Easter 2 on John 10:11-16 (Luther's Works 77:185)
JOHN 10:11
+
The Sheep Know the Shepherd
If you know this Shepherd, you can defend yourself against the devil and death, saying: "Sadly, I have not kept God's Commandments, but I crawl under the wings of this dear hen (my dear Lord Christ [Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34]) and believe that He is my dear Shepherd, Bishop, and Mediator before God, who covers and defends me with His innocence and gives me His righteousness. Whatever I have not kept, He has kept; what is more, whatever I have sinned, He has paid for with His blood," etc. He died and rose again not for Himself but for me, since He says here that He gives His life not for Himself but for His sheep (John 10:11), that is, as St. Peter says, "The righteous died for the unrighteous" (1 Peter 3:18), etc. So, then, you are secure, and the devil along with his hell must leave you alone, for he certainly cannot get anything from Christ, who has already overcome him. He defends and keeps you, if you believe in Him as His lamb.
From the Church Postil, sermon for Easter 2 on John 10:11-16 (Luther's Works 77:185)
Posted in Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2024
January
Faith Comes By HearingAll Day LongThe Lord Keeps for HimselfSalvation Has ComeGrafted InStand Fast By FaithKindness and SeverityThe MysteryMercy on AllUnsearchableLiving SacrificesGiftsGenuine LoveThe Meaning of LifeGod EstablishedThe Summary of the Law is LoveThe Armor of LightMade to StandLiving to the LordEvery Knee Shall BowStumbling BlockTrue FreedomServant of the ChurchOur ExampleFellow WorkersAbound in HopeA Good TeacherGod’s WorkTravel PlansThe Fullness of His BlessingStrive TogetherWelcomeGreet One AnotherWatch Out
February
GreetingsAble to StrengthenAuthorityBlessed BeRedemption in His BloodSpiritual BlessingsGive ThanksDead Men WalkingBy GraceImmeasurable RichesBy GraceGod's WorkmanshipSeparatedBrought NearNo More HostilityTotal AccessFellow CitizensFor This ReasonMystery RevealedLeast of AllEternal PurposeFaith in HimSpiritual StrengthAbundant GiftWalk in LoveChrist's MeasureGifts to MenUnity of the FaithTo and Fro
March
Truth in LoveWalking a New PathA New SelfPut Away FalsehoodNew LifeImitators of GodSons of DisobedienceChildren of LightThe Will of the LordOne FleshFilled with the SpiritThe Church SubmitsChrist LovesProfound MysteryChildren of PromiseBring Them UpBondservants of ChristYour MasterStrong in the Lord