Gratitude comes out of an attitude of worship as a response to the gift of God’s kingdom. 

We have received the kingdom of God by faith, and as a result, God is King over our souls, hearts, and lives. Review our previous reflection, Gratitude: the heart of prayer. 

The point of making God be the first person you talk to in the morning, or the last person before going to bed, implies an intimate relationship with the King of kings. 

And, God’s kingdom, of which you are a member, is never shaken. In other words, nothing or no one can break God. Therefore, nothing or no one can touch any member in God’s kingdom. 

In John 10, that’s what Jesus is indirectly implying. To make sense of this, you may need to read the entire chapter before you continue reading this reflection. 

Now that you’ve read the entire chapter, let’s discuss how gratitude has to do with John 10. 

Basically, everything in the entire Bible is the reason for us to be thankful. It has the story of a God who made the universe and can change times and circumstances. 

The story tells us that God put on flesh through Jesus Christ and dwelt among us over two thousand years ago. 

That’s what Jesus is now sharing with the people in John 10 with verse 10 as the core of his mission, 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The analogies Jesus uses in this piece of scripture, actually in the entire chapter, is something his hearers were familiar with: shepherd, gate, sheep, and flock. 

Two reasons why we should always be grateful are what I will discuss below.

So, keep reading … 

 

 

Jesus is the good Shepherd

Jesus said that he is the good Shepherd, in John 10, which implies that there are bad shepherds too. 

Let’s first look at who is a good shepherd according to Jesus. 

Shepherds, in Jesus’ day, played these primary roles: 

• They guaranteed the safety and welfare of the flock. 
• They protected the sheep from predators. 
• They kept the sheep healthy. 
• They nurtured the flock. 

One thing you should know is that individuals often hired and paid people to take care of their flock.

They did so for several reasons. Two of those reasons were a situation where they did not have anyone in the family to take care of the sheep. 

Or, they would do so if they had more than they could handle. 

A good shepherd wasn’t only someone who does the above. He was also willing to lay down his own life for the sheep (see verses 11 and14). 

So, Jesus is the good shepherd. He gave his own life for you and me. 

He is the good shepherd because:

• He is good. 
• He protects. 
• He guides. 
• He nurtures.
• He lays down his life. See verses 11 and 14. 

Bad shepherds can take care of the sheep, but they can’t lay down their lives for them. 

When they see the danger, they abandon their flock to save themselves (see verses 12 and 13). 

What makes Jesus the Good Shepherd is the fact that he is not a  thief.

The thief:  

• does not know life. 
• steals and destroys. 
• abandons the flock when they see the danger.

Unlike what the thief does to us, Jesus, not only is a good Shepherd for us but also gives us life to the fullest (abundant life ~ see verse 10). 

Abundant life, as a gift received from making Jesus our Good Shepherd, leads us to the second reason why we should be grateful. 

Jesus is the Gate

When we make Jesus our Shepherd, we become untouchable. And, here’s why. 

Jesus isn’t only the good Shepherd. He is the gate. 

No one comes to the Father except through him. Read it below, 

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

With Jesus being the gate to the sheep, meaning for something or someone to touch you, they first must go through Jesus Christ! 

Why not be thankful for becoming a member of Jesus’ flock! 

When you do so, you are guaranteed divine protection. God, through faith in Jesus Christ, covers you with his presence. 

You’re untouchable, unbreakable, and unshakable. 

Now, practice Gratitude

When you talk to God every morning, before doing anything else, be thankful for Jesus as the good Shepherd. He won’t abandon you. Be grateful that he knows you by name, and he will guide you through the day. He will lead to protect you. He will nurture you. No one or anything will touch you this day or ever. You have a life to the fullest through Jesus Christ, your Shepherd. God will let you see His goodness, one way or another, as you go through your day!