I am the good shepherd". The expression "I AM" is used in the Old Testament to refer to God the Father. This is how the Lord presented Himself to Moses. Jo applies it consciously to Jesus. Then the adjective "GOOD", another important information about Jesus. It is not about our "good" in Portuguese (good in Greek is αγατóς). The Greek text uses the Greek word καλος (kalós), which means, beautiful, true. In this sense, "Good Shepherd" means True Shepherd, unlike those who led Israel, called here mercenaries, usurpers, ignorant of the reality of the herd, corrupt, irresponsible and exploiters (Ezek 34). Mercenary is every leader who makes misuse of power, seeking to satisfy his own wills.
The True Shepherd is characterized by His reality, mission, condition and purpose. He is God first of all. Besides this essential fact, He is the one who incarnated, who mixed with His sheep, who came to be equal, in nature, to His flock. He went even further, assuming his sufferings, his sins. In fact, He faced even the death of the cross because of the flock He loved. He lived in the condition of Servant, made of himself the gift of salvation, freely giving himself over to death for the life of His people, meaning that no one has the power to eliminate Him from the flock, that no one was given the power to combat it, LO. His life, He grants it, out of love, as the only condition of salvation for all. He has the power to give His life and made it on the cross; it also has the power to receive it again, which it did, resurrecting from the dead. All this in obedience to the will of the Father.
The flock of the Lord is not only the people of Israel, but all those who have listened and will listen to His voice. All mankind is called to meet the Good Shepherd, in order to reach, through Him, the everlasting green pastures, to communion with God. No one can achieve this without Jesus, there is no other way, there is no other truth. Jesus is the angular "Stone", rejected by the builders of themselves. St. Peter tells us that "Salvation is found in no one else" (Acts 4:12). It is only through Him that we can conquer eternal life and the condition of children of God (cf. 1Jo 3,1-2). These are not adoptive sons but a true participation in God through the Good Shepherd who gives His life and knows His sheep and who still makes the whole flock united in His name.
A strong and affectionate hug.
Father José Erinaldo
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