The Good Shepherd

I'm happy we're studying John 7-10 this week. In John 10:27-28, we're reminded that Jesus is our Shepherd. At the same time he cares for and protects us, his sheep, we can minister to others as fellow shepherds.

John 10:27-28
       My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Alma 5:60
       The good shepherd doth call after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold….

Humble As This Little Child

It seems appropriate this week to look back at Easter past and ponder what Christ did for us and see in his sacrifice the perfect example of child-like humility in doing the Father's will.  As we continue to study the New Testament and learn how we can be better followers of Jesus Christ, we can look to both His words and life.

"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 18:4)

"The Lamb of God … humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments."  (2 Nephi 31:6-7)

He is risen!

With Easter fast approaching, we'll be pondering this week the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ and his miraculous resurrection.  With all the physical challenges we face in life (especially those I discover as I get older), it's so comforting to know that eventually, we will all be resurrected and free of physical pain and suffering.

Alma 22:14

Christ ... breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory

Matthew 28:5-6

Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen

The Atonement and Compassion

In our study of Matthew 16–17; Mark 8–9; and Luke 9, I was reading about the miracle of the loaves and fishes.  I couldn't help but notice the love and compassion the Savior had for the people in their temporal distress.  As I pondered that, I found Abinadi in the Book of Mormon commenting on the Savior's compassion in the context of His death and resurrection.  That brought me back to the Savior's prophecy to the apostles of His crucifixion.  I am grateful for a loving older brother who cares about every want, from the smallest earthly concern to our need for eternal salvation, and for his willingness to provide.

Mosiah 15:7-9

  Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father.

  And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men—

  Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice.

Matthew 17:22-23

 Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:

 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again.

Mark 8:1-3

 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,

 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.