Scripture
17“The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again.
18No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”
Observation
Jesus is teaching the people about how He is the one and only good Shepherd. As the good Shepherd, Jesus will do anything for His sheep because He loves them. This incudes giving up His life.
Application
This pinged me because in the passion story we always say something like "Jesus was taken to Calvary and there He was crucified." This statement is very external, meaning it implies these things were done to Jesus and He had no say in the matter. Granted it was the Father's will that this all happen, but, if it was something not of the Father's will, there is no way Jesus could have been killed. From this scripture statement, we must always remember that Jesus chose to sacrifice His life. It was a choice. Jesus did it voluntarily. Once this sinks in, it's easier to grasp just how much Jesus loves us.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for loving us so much that you would sacrifice your life!
17“The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again.
18No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”
Observation
Jesus is teaching the people about how He is the one and only good Shepherd. As the good Shepherd, Jesus will do anything for His sheep because He loves them. This incudes giving up His life.
Application
This pinged me because in the passion story we always say something like "Jesus was taken to Calvary and there He was crucified." This statement is very external, meaning it implies these things were done to Jesus and He had no say in the matter. Granted it was the Father's will that this all happen, but, if it was something not of the Father's will, there is no way Jesus could have been killed. From this scripture statement, we must always remember that Jesus chose to sacrifice His life. It was a choice. Jesus did it voluntarily. Once this sinks in, it's easier to grasp just how much Jesus loves us.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for loving us so much that you would sacrifice your life!
