Thought for today - 05/28/2013

DEFENDING YOU WITH HIS LIFE 
"One of the most tender images of Jesus is one he supplied when referring to himself as the Good Shepherd. This name reminds us both of our own vulnerability and Jesus' watchful, protecting care. It evokes a sense of belonging, intimacy, and trust, revealing the Good Shepherd as the one who lays down his life for his sheep. 

"When you pray to the Good Shepherd, you are admitting your need for his care and your confidence in his ability to watch over and protect you. Jesus shows us the lengths to which he as the Good Shepherd will go in order to protect his sheep. Unlike those who merely work for pay, Jesus will never abandon his sheep. Instead, he will defend them with his own life."
- From The Names of God: 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups by Ann Spangler