Life Spark: Jesus lived a ‘you-first’ life. (John 10:11-21)
Two themes permeate John 10. First, Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Second, the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11, NIV)
What does ‘lays down his life’ mean? The Message paraphrase says, “…puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary.” He lets go of His aliveness in order to make more aliveness available to us. This in contrast to the thief (Satan), and to most of the religious leaders (hired hands) of Christ’s day. “The hired hand … 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 … cares nothing for the sheep.” (John 10:12-13, NIV)
Being a sheep is complicated. Sheep deal with thieves, hired hands, wolves and the Good Shepherd. When Jesus was arrested, the sheep scattered. (Mark 14:27) Sheep become confused and vulnerable when they scatter. Have you ever been part of a ‘scattered’ flock? A scattered fellowship? A scattered family?
“ … I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:15b, NIV) You and I encounter leaders that range from selfless to selfish. From “… lay down my life for the sheep” to “cares nothing for the sheep.” Selfish leaders, from pimps to politicians, use people. Good leaders love people, and thereby lay down their lives for people.
“The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life … of my own accord.” (John 10:17a-18a, NIV) What does Jesus mean here? What does God love about Jesus being willing to die – to be disconnected from God’s rich aliveness – in our place? God the Father is a ‘lay-down-my-Son-God.’ He is a ‘lay-down-my-life-God.’ When He sees His only begotten Son living His likeness on this planet, He loves it.
This kind of talk caused another split in the Jewish ranks. (John 10:19a MSG)
Jesus’ words always have, always will, ‘split’ people. Sheep and goats. Wheat and tares. Light and dark. Life and death. “How could He be from the devil? How could He be a master of deception, given the fact that His whole life seemed to be about putting others ahead of Himself and living to help others be more alive?” Good question.
Life-question: Can you name one ‘good shepherd’ you’ve know, other than Jesus? Tell someone about that ‘lay-down-your-life’ person today.