Listen

This is how we know love: Jesus laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. But if a person has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need and that person doesn’t care— how can the love of God remain in him?

Little children, let’s not love with words or speech but with action and truth.

1 John 3:16-18

Think

There’s at least one big difference between actual sheep and followers of Jesus: sheep may be led to be good sheep, but they are never asked to act like their shepherd.

As Christ-followers we know that Jesus gave his life for us, for the flock he loves, but we don’t stop there. Our Shepherd doesn’t just give his life for us; he also shows us how to live. Jesus doesn’t just care for us; he shows us how to care for one another the way he does. Our Shepherd doesn’t just love us; he teaches us how to love.

It might be easier just to be sheep. But when we follow our Shepherd so closely that we begin to live fully in his presence, Jesus’ goodness spills out and makes us like him: giving comfort to those who hurt, taking care of those in darkness, generously sharing the gifts — and the life — we have been given.

Nikki Finkelstein-Blair

Pray

I’m following you today, God, so I can learn to be more and more like you. Show me how I can share your love and care with someone who needs to know you.

Go

Ready? Stand up.

Gather yourself, take courage, reach out, walk on.

The Shepherd is leading, and the world is waiting!