“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 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. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep”. John 10: 11-13
Have you had times when you have put your faith in the wrong things? You have trusted in people, rather than trusting in the Lord. You have relied on your own efforts, put your faith in the system of the world, your employers, your education, your reputation, your connections. You have believed these things will bring you the answers, the security or protection you need only to find that like the hired hand, they can never be counted on. The commitment that Jesus assures us of is not temporal and it cannot be revoked. He shows us the difference between the good shepherd and the hired hand. Their loyalty can be bought and sold. They will not make the ultimate sacrifice in the face of danger.
Everything is taken care of because the sheep are under the protective watch of the shepherd.
He goes on to describe this life by talking about the sacrifice that the good shepherd will make for his sheep. You see the reason we can enjoy the fullness of life that God always intended for us is because of the price the shepherd is willing to pay. The good shepherd will lay down his life for his sheep. We can enjoy freedom from fear and a life of wholeness and green pastures because Jesus has poured out his life on our behalf. Think of all those things that hold us back. All those things we are anxious about. They take up our time and energy and leave us feeling robbed. We have been set free of those things. Jesus has voluntarily laid down his life for his sheep. Anything outside of Jesus will leave us exposed to danger. But The good shepherd will never fail us because he has been willing to pay the price for us.
Jesus points the Jews towards the sacrifice that he would make to save his people. This act of love he does in obedience to the will of the Father, “The reason 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”. John 10:17-18
This total submission to the will of the Father is what bring us into freedom. As Jesus choose to lay down his life, that is when he actually found it. By letting go and giving up his rights, he actually entered into the true purpose of his calling and fulfilled his destiny. Surrendering his authority released him into His highest place of blessing and promoted Him to the highest honour, seated at the Father’s right hand where every power has to bow the knee. Submission in the eyes of the world will never make sense. The religious leaders were all clutching to the power they had seized. They did not realise that no earthly power could thwart the plans of the Father.
This is true for us today. How many people are worrying about the schemes of man? People who are trying to tear you down, voices that rise up against you. Jesus demonstrates at the cross that He has already won the victory. We can now be confident of his 24/7 protection as he watches and keeps us safe each day. No attack will take you by surprise He has you surrounded, safe and secure in his arms. Your good shepherd will never fail you!
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Who Do You Say I Am Series – Exchange Church Belfast 2020