What Jesus Did! 'His Sheep' — John 10:11-13

Thursday, July 16, 2026

[Jesus continued,] "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don't belong to him and he isn't their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he's working only for the money and doesn't really care about the sheep."
— John 10:11-13 NLT

Key Thought

Will God run? Yes, he will run to meet us when we return to him from rebellion! [1] Will Jesus run? No, he will not run away from us when we are in danger or face hardships and attacks. They both love us intensely and want us safe and home with them and will do anything and everything we will let them do to make sure that happens. Don't let the evil one make you doubt God's love. Human shepherds are fallible and will sometimes stumble, fall, and let us down. Our heavenly shepherd, however, will not fail us, will seek and find us, and has already paid the horrible price required to ransom us from sin, death, and destruction.

[1] Luke 15:11-32.

Today's Prayer

O Father, may I never ever outlive my love for you. May I never doubt your love and steadfast care. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

13 Related Resources by Heartlight

John 10:11
Devo: Today's Verse
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
John 10:11
Devo: Today's Verse
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
John 10:11
Devo: Today's Verse
""I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.""
Laying Down His Life
Illustration of John 10:11
Inspirational illustration of John 10:11 -- I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.
See All 13 Related Resources about John 10:11-13

Illustration

Illustration of John 10:11-13 NLT — He will abandon the sheep because they don't belong to him and he isn't their shepherd.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, July 16, 2026

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The Core Is Always the Core' (Acts 17:22-26)
"So Paul, standing before the council of the city Athens, addressed them as follows: "Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Lovingly Paid'
"Dear Beloved, Today's verses are full of deeply significant words, but they are not hard to understand. Read them and let them fall into your..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Psalms 120:5
"As a Christian you have to live in the midst of an ungodly world, and it is of little use for you to cry "Woe is me." Jesus did not pray that you..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'A Model of Good Deeds' (Ti. 2:1-8)
"Dear Father, whose word is sound doctrine, Let me teach by word and example what conforms to the sound doctrine of your word. Help me to be..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!