Chapter 1 · Encounter 7 of 48
The Shepherd Who Gives His Life
Prepare
Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. Centuries earlier, Isaiah described a servant who would suffer on behalf of God's wandering people. As you read, consider how these passages illuminate one another and what they reveal about the nature of God's love.
Read Scripture
Open each passage here without leaving this Encounter.
John 10:11-18
11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Isaiah 53:4-6
4Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
5But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
Ponder
- Jesus contrasts the Good Shepherd with a hired hand who abandons the sheep when danger comes. What does his willingness to lay down his life reveal about the kind of relationship he has with those who belong to him?
- Isaiah describes people who have wandered like sheep and a servant who bears their suffering and sin. How does reading these passages together deepen your understanding of what Jesus means when he says he lays down his life for the sheep? What assumptions about God's love might the cross challenge?
Look Again
Look closely at John 10:17-18 17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”John 10:17-18
Jesus is not describing himself merely as a victim of circumstances beyond his control. His death is a willing act of self-giving love. Think about how this changes the way you understand the Shepherd's sacrifice—and the character of the God who gives himself for his people.
Practice
Set aside a few quiet minutes today to return to John 10:11 11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11
Prayer
Thank Jesus for his willingness to give himself for you. Speak with him about anything that makes his love difficult to receive or trust and ask him to deepen your confidence in his goodness.