Thoughts on the Gospel of John (83) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Therefore my Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it again. No-one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment I have received from my Father.
John 10:17-18.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (83)
The Lord Jesus told the Jews twice that He would lay down His life for the sheep. That is how much He loved them. He had to die in order to carry out God's plan that the scattered children of God should be gathered together (ch. 11:51.52). Believers from the Jews and the heathen should form one flock with one Shepherd.

In giving His life into death the Lord did not think solely of the sheep. That is why the words "for the sheep" are missing in the first sentence above. Christ sacrificed His life to glorify God (cf. Ephesians 5:2). He gives us to understand that His heavenly Father alone can assess the value of His sacrificial death. Indeed, the Father alone can truly appreciate the love, trust, self-denial and spotlessness that are evident in every respect of Jesus' atoning death.

Yielding up His life voluntarily, the only begotten Son gave the Father further cause to love Him.

No-one could take His life from the Son of God; He sacrificed it in His own power. In His devotion He descended voluntarily into the realm of death. But He had equally the power to come back again to life, for He wished to continue caring for His sheep. His death was neither the end of His love nor of His service towards mankind. In His service on earth the Lord underwent the greatest suffering; now He serves believers from heaven (cf. Hebrews 7:25).

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Exodus 40:17-38 · Luke 19:11-27