‘The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.’ (John
10:11)
As the good shepherd, Jesus voluntarily gives himself to the point of death,
for the welfare of the sheep. It is this self-sacrifice that sets him apart
from all other leaders, and rulers of the people. The good shepherd has something
that no other shepherd has. His whole philosophy of shepherding; his whole theory
of what it means for him to be a shepherd, rests on his determination to give
himself in death, for the life of the sheep. He purposes it; plans it. "This
command he received from his father."
Jesus' death was a holy conspiracy between Father and Son. It was a loving
service; love taken to a degree unheard of. Jesus determination to lay down
his life for all the sheep in all the sheep pens of the world, brought him to
the cross. There, love suffered long; love was kind; love never gave up. Only
love of this kind, is strong enough to give life.
May this love be shed abroad in my heart.
|