Maundy Thursday - Hope Week 2025
Our Good Shepherd
“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who
is close to me! declares the Lord Almighty. ‘Strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against
the little ones.’” - Zechariah 13:7
One of the most cherished moments I’ve had as a father is watching my three kids learn to walk. I remember the excitement of watching them stand to their feet take shaky steps and quickly stumble. Despite their repeated falls, I cheered them on knowing that this was all a part of the process. Over time, they would learn to walk with confidence.
I see this nurturing spirit in the good shepherd Jesus. In His sovereignty, He knew His disciples would not only scatter but betray Him. We see this as He quotes the prophecy in Zechariah 13:7 (Read Mark 14:27-31). Even though the disciples failed, Jesus was not caught off guard. He had already planned their restoration. Jesus knew that this was all a part of the disciple’s growth that would eventually turn them into bold witnesses on the day of Pentecost.
I don’t know what failures you may have had in the past that haunt you or what failures you will experience in the future. I do know that no failure will surprise the sovereign shepherd, He is still in control. He can restore, redeem, and use everything for the good of those who believe in Him. I encourage you to lean on His grace and trust in His sovereignty to not let any failure define you.
is close to me! declares the Lord Almighty. ‘Strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against
the little ones.’” - Zechariah 13:7
One of the most cherished moments I’ve had as a father is watching my three kids learn to walk. I remember the excitement of watching them stand to their feet take shaky steps and quickly stumble. Despite their repeated falls, I cheered them on knowing that this was all a part of the process. Over time, they would learn to walk with confidence.
I see this nurturing spirit in the good shepherd Jesus. In His sovereignty, He knew His disciples would not only scatter but betray Him. We see this as He quotes the prophecy in Zechariah 13:7 (Read Mark 14:27-31). Even though the disciples failed, Jesus was not caught off guard. He had already planned their restoration. Jesus knew that this was all a part of the disciple’s growth that would eventually turn them into bold witnesses on the day of Pentecost.
I don’t know what failures you may have had in the past that haunt you or what failures you will experience in the future. I do know that no failure will surprise the sovereign shepherd, He is still in control. He can restore, redeem, and use everything for the good of those who believe in Him. I encourage you to lean on His grace and trust in His sovereignty to not let any failure define you.
Discussion Questions:
1. How does the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd shape the way we view His response to our failures?
2. Why do you think Jesus still chose the disciples knowing they would scatter and deny Him? What does that say about His grace?
3. What failure—past or present—have you struggled to believe God can redeem? How does the truth of God's sovereignty challenge that thinking?
2. Why do you think Jesus still chose the disciples knowing they would scatter and deny Him? What does that say about His grace?
3. What failure—past or present—have you struggled to believe God can redeem? How does the truth of God's sovereignty challenge that thinking?
Posted in Hope Week 2025
Posted in Hope Week, Good Shepherd, Jesus, Zechariah, Mark, Sovereignty, Restoration, Redemption
Posted in Hope Week, Good Shepherd, Jesus, Zechariah, Mark, Sovereignty, Restoration, Redemption
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