The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 19 April 2026 – Jesus, The Good Shepherd
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TOPIC: Jesus, The Good Shepherd
READ: John 10:7-16
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All who ever came [a]before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
12 But a [b]hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.
13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
THE MESSAGE:
Today we are reminded of how Jesus uses the Shepherd – Sheep allegory to describe His relationship with believers. Psalm 23 gives an apt description of the pastoral care of the Good Shepherd. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus provides three essential aspects of care: Protection, Provision and Personal relationship. As the sheep, believers trust and follow the Shepherd for safety and upkeep. Jesus also describes Himself as the Door of the sheep. All who came before Him were thieves and the sheep did not listen to them. Anyone who passes through Him as the door, will be saved. The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy, but the Good Shepherd has come to give life – defending the sheep with His life.
As we reflect on the words of Jesus, let us ask ourselves if we have been listening to and following Jesus as our Good Shepherd. Have we truly depended on Him for protection and provision? Let us be careful not to follow the thief who has many cunning and deceptive ways of luring us out of the sheepfold. As the right door leads to the right destination, so passing through Jesus, the Door, will lead you to salvation. Be sure you are part of His flock that passes through Him today.
PRAYER: Thank You, Jesus, for being my Good Shepherd. Help me to continually trust in Your care, follow Your voice and rest in Your love. Amen.
