Devotional
To Lay Down my Life
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices His life for the sheep.
John 10:11
John 10:11
In keeping with the Shepherd theme of Psalm 23, Jesus refers to Himself as the good shepherd.
The good shepherd goes ahead of his sheep and they hear his voice. But Jesus adds another quality to this good shepherd. He risks his life for the sheep. In the process of protecting sheep from predators, shepherds would be in danger themselves, especially if the predator was a powerful animal like a lion. A hired hand would run away in the face of danger. A good shepherd stays and protects.
For Jesus, death was the ultimate act of love and grace. Jesus did not just leave the comforts of heaven and live with the frustrations of this fallen world but He was also tried, tortured, and executed by evil people. He was innocent yet put on trial by the guilty. And He did this for us. He who is holy and perfect died for us who were sinners. This is what He means when He says He lays down His life for the sheep.
Since Jesus laid down His life for us, we are called to offer our lives to Him.
Brett
The good shepherd goes ahead of his sheep and they hear his voice. But Jesus adds another quality to this good shepherd. He risks his life for the sheep. In the process of protecting sheep from predators, shepherds would be in danger themselves, especially if the predator was a powerful animal like a lion. A hired hand would run away in the face of danger. A good shepherd stays and protects.
For Jesus, death was the ultimate act of love and grace. Jesus did not just leave the comforts of heaven and live with the frustrations of this fallen world but He was also tried, tortured, and executed by evil people. He was innocent yet put on trial by the guilty. And He did this for us. He who is holy and perfect died for us who were sinners. This is what He means when He says He lays down His life for the sheep.
Since Jesus laid down His life for us, we are called to offer our lives to Him.
Brett
Posted in Devotional