Episode 1154: Going Deeper with the One Who Knows Your Name

We have just launched a new series. 10:10 with Jesus: A Deeper Look.

The Gospel of John is a tremendous gift – offering us profound insights into Jesus' identity, mission, teachings, character, and ongoing work in the world.

We need to get deeper with Jesus because a surface-level relationship will never satisfy the depth of our need or the depth of His love. Life is complex, painful, and filled with challenges that simple answers and shallow faith can’t address. A deeper relationship with Jesus gives us spiritual roots: roots that anchor us in truth when emotions waver, when trials shake us, and when the world pulls us in a hundred different directions.

Understanding that Jesus is the vine and the bread of life helps us get deep by revealing that He is not just a guide or example but our very source of life and sustenance. As the vine, He is the one through whom we receive strength, growth, and the ability to bear fruit; apart from Him, we wither. As the bread of life, He nourishes our souls in a way nothing else can: He fills the hunger we carry for meaning, belonging, and peace. Together, these metaphors teach us that going deeper with Jesus isn’t about achieving more, but about staying connected, abiding, and depending on Him moment by moment for everything we truly need.

In calling Himself the Good Shepherd, Jesus declares that His leadership is not driven by control but by sacrificial love. This identity is more than a title; it is a lifeline for a weary, wandering people.

When Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd,” He draws from rich biblical tradition and personal compassion to reveal His deep, sacrificial love for His people. Unlike hired hands who flee at danger, Jesus presents Himself as the one who protects, knows, and lays down His life for the sheep. His statement echoes themes from earlier teachings where He described people as “sheep without a shepherd” and shared stories like the parable of the lost sheep to express God’s relentless pursuit of the wayward. Spoken during a heated exchange with the Pharisees, Jesus uses this imagery to contrast His faithful, self-giving leadership with the neglect of corrupt religious authorities. His message was both a fulfillment of prophecy and a present invitation to trust His intimate, protective care.

Understanding Jesus as the good shepherd calls us to acknowledge our vulnerability and embrace His trustworthy guidance. Sheep are beloved but dependent—they need a shepherd’s voice, presence, and protection. Jesus promises that kind of attentive, enduring care. His leadership is personal, His pursuit unrelenting, His presence constant, and His sacrifice unmatched. To go deeper with Him means surrendering our illusion of control, quieting the noise of self-reliance, and learning to recognize and follow His voice. Jesus doesn’t just want to be admired from afar—He wants to be known, trusted, and followed. And in a world full of hired hands and false guides, only the Good Shepherd is worthy of our whole-hearted devotion.