Read John 10:11-18

Read John 10:11-18

11 “I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep. ¹²When the hired man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away; so the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. ¹³The hired man runs away because he is only a hired man and does not care about the sheep. ^14–15I am the good shepherd. As the Father knows me and I know the Father, in the same way I know my sheep and they know me. And I am willing to die for them. ¹⁶There are other sheep which belong to me that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them, too; they will listen to my voice, and they will become^x one flock with one shepherd.

17 “The Father loves me because I am willing to give up my life, in order that I may receive it back again. ¹⁸No one takes my life away from me. I give it up of my own free will. I have the right to give it up, and I have the right to take it back. This is what my Father has commanded me to do.”

Think

Yesterday's reading from 1 John 3 describes true love.  Jesus illustrates this love in his willingness to die for the people he loves.  His love is deeply compassionate, protective and caring.

Pray

Lord, you are my shepherd, you protect me with your life.  Help me to imitate you in the way I care for those that you have placed in my charge - my family, my friends, my community.  Help me to love sacrificially as you do.