John 10: 11-18
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandoned the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
“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. I have other sheep that are not of this pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason that my Father loves me is that I lay down my life–only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
A Thought
Jesus Christ by freely giving his life and with authority picked it up again, is the only way to the Father for all Jews and Gentiles. All who enter in by hearing and obeying Christ, shall be one together with Christ. He will protect us from the devil who tries to rob, kill, destroy and create division between God and his people. Christ knows us and we can know him by accepting and following him as our Savior.
Our Prayer
Father thank you that you gave the command to Jesus and he had love for us to law down his life and the authority to take it back again enabling all people to enter into his righteousness. Awaken us to hear and obey his voice as we become one with you and one with each other. Lead us by your Word. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
