牧者心聲  Pastor's Message

08/23/2009


      The other day I was studying John, chapter 10, when Jesus is telling the Jews that He is the Good Shepherd. Within this passage Jesus states, “I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me- just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father- and I lay down My life for the sheep.” These words of Jesus got me thinking. Who on earth would give up their life for a sheep? I mean, let’s face it, if you saw a sheep about to bite the dust, would you willingly run to save it knowing that there is a 100% chance that you will die? Well, this is the picture Jesus painted to express His sacrifice for our lives. Jesus knew there was a 100% guarantee that He was going to die for His sheep, being us. But yet He willingly gave up His life. But Jesus didn’t just “give up” His life, but He “laid it down” as stated in verse 10:17. In other words, there is not just a sense that His life was taken, but rather it was given. There is a difference. When your life is “taken” it is done forcefully and out of your control. But that is not what Jesus is saying here. He is saying that He “gives” His life. That is why Jesus says in verse 10:18 “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” So the next time somebody ask you why Jesus had to die, you can answer them that Jesus didn’t have to die, but He willingly “laid down” His life that we may have life, and have it to the full.

      Be blessed this week as we continue in Jesus' love and mercy and kindness!



      Brother John J.