14　“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—¹⁵just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd (John 10:14-16)

In this passage I find many words of comfort. It was over 2,000 years ago that Jesus chose to empty Himself of the glory He had in heaven (Philippians 2:7) only to be born in a world whom for the most part did not recognize Him.  To the world such an act would at best seem ludicrous. The people were enemies of Christ (Romans 5:10) so why did He lay His life down for them? This is where the good Shepherd comes into the story. He knew that we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23) and as such each and every person deserved to die for having chosen to disobey a holy God (Romans 6:23).

When Jesus stated “I am the good shepherd” He backed His words up with action. Since humanity could not be reconciled unto a holy God based on their own efforts (Ephesians 2:8-9), the good shepherd offered His own life as a ransom for each and every person (Mark 10:45). He laid down His life on the cross so that you and I could be reconciled unto a holy God. I don’t know about your circumstances but from my own I can honestly say my daily sins is what got Jesus on that cross. He loved ME and loved YOU so much that He voluntarily chose (John 10:18) to die so that WE could have a chance to receive eternal life!

O how I love to watch people open their gifts at Christmas! They shake the gift and pick at them during the weeks leading up to Christmas. Then on that blissful morning they open their gifts with great joy and happiness. But what I love to see even more is when a person asks Jesus Christ into the his/her heart! What if this Christmas YOU opened one of the best gifts ever given to a person – salvation? If YOU confess your sins and believe Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead as a sacrifice for your sins … then He will forgive and YOU will born again (John 3:3) and sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13) as His child (John 1:12)! The good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, invites YOU to open His gift to You this Christmas – to know and become part of His family! Salvation is the best gift a person can ever open!

My friend if you open His gift of salvation this Christmas please email me for I would love to pray for you as you start your journey in His family!  Those of you who have already chosen Christ as your Savior please send me a note describing what He means to you (let me know if I can share your note)!