The Gospel of John: John 10.1-18

Read and meditate on John 10.17, 18.
Laying down His life for His sheep was no easy road, but Jesus could travel it because He knew this is where He would experience the love of His Father.

                  ¹⁷“Therefore, He loves Me –
the Father – for I give My life that I
may take it back again. ¹⁸And when I die,
none takes My life from Me; instead, I lay
it down by My own will, so that I may,
by My own power, take back My life again.
The Father has appointed this command.”

- John 10.17, 18

Reflect
1. Verse 17 can be a bit confusing. It appears to make the Father’s love for Jesus conditional, that is, based on Jesus’ laying down His life for the Lord’s flock. But this condition is removed when we remember that the Word of God agreed to become incarnate and to lay down His life from all eternity past. It is inherent in the Word – in Jesus – to receive the Father’s love, and to show it, and His own, by laying down His life. This quality in Him attracts the love of the Father, which love He expresses by laying down His life. Which makes us – all who believe in Jesus – the “end of the line” for the love of the Father and the Son. How should we respond to such love? Complete the following brief prayer: Lord, I am amazed that You love me, and that our heavenly Father loves me. Thank You. Today, let that love reach and flow through me to…

2.  Now we learn that laying down His life is not the end of the story. Jesus said He would lay down His life so that He might take it back again. If He always intended to take back His life again, why was it necessary for Him to die? Why not just keep on living? What role does the dying of Jesus play in the Father’s love for us, and Jesus’ love? You laid down Your life for me, Lord. Today, I would lay down my life by…

3.  Jesus freely offered Himself unto death, so that He might exert His power to overcome death and live again (v. 18). This too is part of His eternal remit from the Father. What kind of power is this? Of what is this power capable (cf. Eph. 3.20)? Do you experience this power? Should you? Lord, let Your power be at work in me today so that…

4.  What does it say about Jesus that He embraced the Lord’s command to lay down His life? Should His doing this serve as an example for us? In what ways should we lay down our lives in Jesus’ Name? Lord, I would prefer to have others lay down their lives for me; however…

5.  Jesus said it was the calling of the Good Shepherd to lay down His life for the sheep. Specifically, what did Jesus have to lay aside and lay down (cf. Phil. 2.5-11)? Should the shepherds of God’s flock today lay down their lives for the sheep? How? Bring together your prayers from questions 1-4 into one prayer.

Summary
“If we see ourselves in our own child, we are drawn to an intensity of love whenever we see that child. In the same way, I think God the Father is said to love his own Son, who lays down his own life for us and takes it again. For it is a work of love to have chosen to suffer—and to suffer shamefully—for the salvation of some. It is a work of love not only to die but also to take again the life that was laid down in order to destroy death and to take away sorrow from corruption. Although the Son is always beloved by reason of his nature, it is evident that Christ is also beloved by God the Father because of his love toward us. Naturally, this gladdens the heart of God the Father since he can see the image of his own nature clearly and perfectly shining forth through Christ’s love for us.” Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD)

God’s love is eternal, unconditional, and unchanging, and is most visible in the work of our Lord Jesus Christ. How should we respond to this love of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? What can keep us from responding this way?

Closing Prayer
The LORD reigns;
Let the earth rejoice;
Let the multitude of isles be glad!
Clouds and darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
A fire goes before Him,
And burns up His enemies round about.
His lightnings light the world;
The earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD,
At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
The heavens declare His righteousness,
And all the peoples see His glory.
Let all be put to shame who serve carved images,
Who boast of idols.
Worship Him, all you gods.
Zion hears and is glad,
And the daughters of Judah rejoice
Because of Your judgments, O LORD.
For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.
You who love the LORD, hate evil!
He preserves the souls of His saints;
He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 97.1-10

Psalm 97.1, 6, 9-12 (Darwall: Rejoice, the Lord is King!)
Rejoice, the Lord is King! O earth, lift up your voice;
Be glad, you islands, shout and sing: Rejoice! Rejoice!
    Beyond, above all gods and nations be exalted, God of love!

The heav’ns above declare His glorious righteousness;
And tribes and peoples everywhere His Name confess.
    Beyond, above all gods and nations be exalted, God of love!

All you who love the Lord, despise sin’s wicked ways!
Praise Him Who guides us by His Word through all our days.
    Beyond, above all gods and nations be exalted, God of love!
T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.