AfterThoughts: February 02, 2026

February 2, 2026
I Am The Good Shepherd
John 10:1–21

This week, Dr. David Eldridge continued the series from the Gospel of John. In these verses, he explanded on two points:

There Is Only One Door That Leads To True Life
There Is Only One Shepherd Who Truly Cares For You

GOING DEEPER:

Pastor David shared that this passage is one of the most beloved in all the Gospels and teaches us that there is only one door that leads to true life (John 10:7 and John 10:9). Jesus is the door to what matters most—salvation, deliverance from your sins, abundant life/eternal life forever, and access to a relationship with a Holy God. In the original language of the New Testament, Jesus is saying: “I—and I alone—am the door.” How have you experienced being not only saved but being "safe eternally" in your relationship with Jesus?
From John 10:11–18, Pastor David shared that we, like sheep, desperately need a Good Shepherd, and Jesus is the only shepherd who truly cares for us. Like sheep, we are slow, defenseless, weak, and helpless. Left to ourselves, we do stupid, sinful things that hurt us and often disappoint the ones we love most. We need a shepherd who is everything to us. Have there been times in your life when you have chosen your own way and refused to be led by your Good Shepherd? What truths did you learn about Jesus and the importance of following His way during that time in your life? How is Jesus everything for you?
The Good Shepherd intimately knows us, His sheep. Jesus doesn’t drive us from behind, but instead, He leads us from the front, calling us to come to Him and follow Him. Sheep follow the voice of the shepherd. No one knows us better than Jesus—the times we have hated, every thought we have entertained, every unkind word we have spoken, and the real truth about us—and He loves us anyway. He laid down His life for us because of the way we are. He knows all of our brokenness, bitterness, selfishness, heartbreaks, and heartaches, and He chose to lay down His very life for us. The Good Shepherd has already proven Himself (by His knowledge of us, His presence with us, His truthfulness to us, and His sacrifice for us), but are there areas in your life where you are suspicious of His motives or question His intentions? Which of His commands are you resisting? Where are you resisting His leadership in your life?
Jesus does not wait for you to improve yourself before He calls you by name. He is the only one who can lead you to what is true, good, and beautiful. How are you following the voices of our culture (stay guarded; do not forgive; you are what you can achieve or earn; assume the worst in others; if it feels right to me, I should do it; I deserve this) instead of the voice of your Good Shepherd? How can you stop trying to lead yourself instead of trusting the One who never stops loving you? How can you change your schedule this week to make more time to hear the voice of Jesus through His Word and His Spirit?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

To view past sermons, please click here.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24–26

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