“Jesus Christ is all-in and has a vested interest in our future.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – February 12, 2026
He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. John 10:12, ESV
My son loves sports. Period, full stop, end of discussion. He will watch any team play any sport at any time. And yet, there is a remarkable difference between watching his team play vs. a team that he doesn’t follow. Though the game may be interesting, if two teams are playing that he doesn’t care about, he isn’t terribly bothered if we have to turn it off or go run an errand. Yet if I were to suggest we turn off Alabama vs. Auburn in the 4th quarter, I might as well be serving him a death sentence! He has a deeply vested interest in the outcome of that game. He’s all-in and will do everything in his power to cheer his team on to victory.
Though perhaps a silly example, I think of this sports analogy when I read today’s passage from John 10:12. Here, we are reminded of a central truth of the gospel: that Jesus Christ is all-in and has a vested interest in our future. Like a shepherd who owns and loves his flock, Jesus will never leave or abandon us, even in the face of threat or danger. Though a hired hand will flee at the first sight of trouble, our Lord stands his ground, even at great personal cost.
Of course, this is not simply poetic language or an inspiring thought; it has been proven true in the historic events of our world. The cross and resurrection is not simply an inspiring story or truth-laden parable. It is concrete history that proves our Lord’s words to be true. He said he would not leave us, and not even death itself could separate us from the love of God in Jesus (Romans 8:38-39).
Our Lord does not look upon your life as an indifferent bystander. He loves you with an unshakable love, longing to see you enter through the gate of his compassion and within his fold find the life you were made to live.
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…” (Isaiah 49:15-16a).
Prayer
Father, thank you for the timeless truth of these words, reminding us that you will never leave or abandon us, but are with us until the end of the age, loving and protecting as only you can, through Christ our Good Shepherd. Amen.
Application
Meditate today on this picture of Christ as the Good Shepherd who welcomes you into the safety of his fold.
Related Reading
John 15:13; Hebrews 13:5; 1 John 3:16
Worship Resource
Matt Redman: Never Once / You Never Let Go (Live)
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