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 — The hired hand runs away because he's working only for the money and doesn't really care about the sheep.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, July 16, 2026

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 17:6
"Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'The Guarantee!' (2 Co. 5:4-5)
"While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Jeremy Taylor:
"It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers that his Helper is omnipotent."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The One Whom We Obey' (Acts 5:26-29)
"The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them. Then they...."

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!