Read John 10:11-18

Thursday

Read John 10:11-18

11 “I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep. 12 When 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. 13 The hired man runs away because he is only a hired man and does not care about the sheep. 14-15 I 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. 16 There are other sheep which belong to me that are not in this sheep pen. I must bring them, too; they will listen to my voice, and they will become 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. 18 No 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.”

Footnotes:
John 10:16 they will become; some manuscripts have there will be.
Good News Translation (GNT)
Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society

Think

Jesus illustrates the meaning of love as described in 1 John 3:18; the owner of the sheep is invested so much in the sheep that he can not just abandon them.  His life is bundled up with theirs.  This is the way we are meant to care for each other.

Pray

Lord I don't like to commit myself too much to love others.  But you show me the way of offering my life - my self.  Help me to do so more and more each day.