Jesus is Essential
John 10:11–14: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
Christ devoted his whole life to us each day and finally gave it in an act of supreme sacrifice. He laid it down of his own initiative. The soldiers did not capture Jesus at Gethsemane. He could have called 10,000 angels if he had wanted to. His very words cast them back, but he gave himself up.
Also, how does the Scripture describe his death on the cross? “He … gave up his spirit.” That is the heart of our shepherd. He laid down his life for the sheep. 1
Walking with Jesus
Meditate on this: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” Will you show this kind of godly consideration to another person today?
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:30
Jesus left eternity and gave His all on earth, so all who believe could be saved.
Praying
Lord, please teach me how to lay down my life for others.
1. Hughes, R. K. (1999). John: that you may believe. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
