He Loves Me! 

John 10.1-10 

So, Jesus said to them again, truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 

My devotions have felt a little dry recently. I usually open my devotional time with “Lord, teach me this morning”. Today I opened with “Father, love me this morning.” Father, you love me, you cherish me, you adore me, you delight in me. HOW CAN IT BE? May you not only teach me today but also deepen my sense of Your care and love for me. 

John 10:2,3, Jesus as our shepherd says, “but He who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by NAME and LEADS them out.”  

If you are a pet person, you know that your pet learns your voice and responds to it as well as responds to your presence. The voice of Jesus, who He is and His presence are unique and distinct to us as well. There are many voices that call out and often they sound similar to Jesus. Sometimes our minds convince us to follow the wrong voice because of our personal self-confidence or arrogance. Maybe we even intentionally wander in order to make our own path and do it our own way. 

The thief is deceptive and woos us away. Deep down we know something is wrong, but we go anyway. Before long, we realize our stupidity and foolishness of following the wrong voice. We come to our senses and realize we have been foolish. We hope that God will at least take us back, if we can ever find Him again. 

Thank God, while we were running away, the true shepherd left the others securely within the gate and came searching just for us. At the moment we realized our wandering heart has led us to a dead end, Jesus is there. We hear His voice and a blend of shame and relief fill our soul. His voice is especially penetrating because He found us by calling out our name. His love, compassion and care are personal. 

As He carries us back to the fold, we have no struggle left within us. We are limp with every muscle released of tension as He carries us over His shoulder. We surrender. In our shame, we are hopeful He will take us back, undeserved as we are. As He carries us, He whispers words of assurance. You are mine. I came for you. I chose you and know you personally. I know your name.  

He does take us back and not only does He give us life, He gives us a life of abundance. 

Lord Jesus, You considered me personally, pondered me and who I am. In Your mind and heart, You loved me and called me by my personal NAME. You considered me precious and worthy of your calling. To be yours, loved and protected by You.  

At my lowest point, I heard you and Your voice to me was the sound of salvation. I hear you now and I follow you. May I walk today as one who is loved by Jesus. Amen!