“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep […] “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me […] 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 10:11,14,18)
Jesus is good. In the surrounding verses there is a contrast between Jesus and the shepherds who have come before him; they were bad. The OT Prophet big guns each speak of the dodginess of the unfaithful shepherds over Israel and that God himself will come to shepherd his people (see Isaiah 40:11; Jeremiah 23:1-4; Ezekiel 34).
Jesus cares for his sheep. He demonstrates his love for them by willingly laying down his life for them. It would have been pretty rare for a shepherd to do for his sheep, yet Jesus did it willingly?!?! Why did he do it? Because “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” and so in the death of Jesus, “the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)
Return to the Good Shepherd.
Beautiful words with great meaning!
Our Lord and Savior, our Shepperd gave His Life for the forgiveness of our sins.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, being God and Perfect, did His Perfect Sacrifice achieve the perfect redemption of all sin?
If so will all Humans be saved by this Perfect Sacrifice of our Savior and Redeemer? Kindly, Joseph.
hi joseph.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, being God and Perfect, did His Perfect Sacrifice achieve the perfect redemption of all sin?
according to this passage, Jesus dies in the place of his sheep.
If so will all Humans be saved by this Perfect Sacrifice of our Savior and Redeemer?
no. it’s clear as you read through the rest of John’s gospel that it’s only to those who believe in Jesus that will be saved by his sacrifice.
thanks for stopping by.