Lent Devotionals – Day 18

John 10: 1 – 21:

Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is one of the most recognisable fictional figures in history. The wizarding headmaster is adored by many. He was a protector for those at Hogwarts and a figurehead for the good in the Harry Potter magical world.

Perhaps his greatest moment (SPOILER ALERT) was when he sacrificed himself in the Half-Blood Prince. With his and Severus Snape’s plan to engineer a position close to Voldemort for the often misunderstood teacher underway, Dumbledore explained that Snape would have to kill him to ensure that Voldemort trusted him unwaveringly. Snape did indeed kill Dumbledore and would go on to play a major part in Potter’s defeat of Voldemort.

Much of Dumbledore’s intention while alive focused on protection. He always had an eye out for Harry and the students, often laying down his own desires and wants for the better of those who followed him.

In a rather roundabout way, that brings us to Jesus and one of the seven ‘I ams’ that we find in the book of John.

When speaking to the Pharisees, Jesus uses the picture of sheep and a shepherd to portray one of His many attributes.

In verse 11 and verse 14, we see Jesus call Himself ‘the Good Shepherd’, before detailing what the title means. In the first instance, He shows the Pharisees that He protects His flock by laying down His life, preventing the attacks from wolves ever harming His sheep. In the second, He refers to the wisdom of His words; that His sheep know His voice and follow it.

Throughout the whole picture, Jesus enforces the point that He is the Shepherd, we are the sheep and that He is our protector. We are called to follow Him, very much like the students at Hogwarts are asked to follow Dumbledore, and He will protect us through the trials and tribulations of life.

Now that is truly wonderful news!!