‘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.