Read John 10:11-18. Circle the words that stand out to you. What is the Lord saying to you?
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 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.”
Digging Deeper
Some of us have imprinted on our driver’s identification that we are organ donors. Some of us have donated blood and maybe a few of us have even donated marrow for someone with leukemia. When my sister, Bonnie, had renal failure, she needed a kidney. My older brother, Kerry donated one of his kidneys which prolonged her life for another ten years. I know of others who have given something of their own body to save another person’s life.
We tell ourselves that if we were a match for someone who needed a bone marrow transplant or a kidney from us, would we give it. If we are honest with ourselves, while we may give it to a sibling or someone very dear to us, we may pass on a stranger. For most of us, we will have to think long and hard about giving bone marrow, part of our liver, or a kidney to another person.
Jesus says that He is the Good Shepherd. He knows His sheep. He leads and guides them. He protects them from danger. He even seeks those who wanders away. This Good Shepherd is willing to give up His life for the sheep. The phrase, “lays down His life,” is used five times. This Shepherd is not compelled to give up His life for his sheep, but He does it willingly. He chooses to do so and the Father loves Him for it.
If Jesus was willing to lay down His life for us, what are you and I willing to give or do for another brother or sister in the Lord? What is our limit? How far will you and I go in helping a brother or sister who is truly in need?
This Sunday ask God to open your eyes and heart to see who He will direct you to inquire about someone’s physical, emotional or spiritual well-being. Don’t forget the orphans and widows. You and I may be part of God’s answer to that person’s prayer.
-Kingston