Jesus is Essential
John 10:15–21: As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. And many of them said, “He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?” Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
To know Jesus Christ is all–important, and everything else becomes secondary. That is one reason I have given up arguing about nonessentials. Let’s stop arguing about religion and about details.
The important issue is to know Jesus Christ. Do you hear His voice; do you know the Shepherd? David risked his life to save his sheep from a bear and from a lion. The Son of David gave His life for His sheep. 1
Walking with Jesus
How many times does Jesus speak of “laying His life down” in these few verses? How often will you be willing to “lay your life down” today? When your schedule is interrupted? When you take care of a sick child? When you exercise patience with a very inconsiderate person? When you postpone your “free time” to listen to another?
That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. Philippians 3:10
Our True Shepherd died so we could live and lay our lives down for others.
Praying
Lord, thank You for teaching me to lay down my agenda on a daily basis.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Gospels (John 1-10) (electronic ed., Vol. 38). Nashville: Thomas.
