11 Jesus said “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The 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. 13 The 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— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I 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. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No 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.”
Today's text from the Gospel of John reminds us of a shepherd's loving relationship with their sheep. In the same way Jesus love and commitment to a relationship with the followers of God led Christ to choose death on a cross for the salvation of the world.
The text taken here from John 10:11-18 is fundamental to our understanding the love of God through Christ for all humankind. Jesus death on the cross was NOT punishment, instead it was a CHOICE made out of love. Jesus laid down his life ,it was not taken from him. On the other hand Jesus had all of the power and authority to control the situation. Because of Jesus relationship to his sheep/followers/the church, Christ chose to offer us eternal salvation.
What choices are you making today, this week and even this year that will change the lives of others despite the pain and grief you will encounter because of them? What choices are you making on behalf of the brothers and sisters that you don't even know to make their lives better despite your current condition and needs? Family during crucial and chaotic times God is calling us to remember the choices of Christ. In crucial times we are called to make crucial and critical but selfless choices.
So today dear God we pray that you implant in each of us the compassion and love to place others before ourselves. We humbly ask that you give us the vision of where our efforts should be directed and the strength to fill every void and tend every need. In doing this we trust that as we tend to others you our divine shepherd will tend to us. Amen.
Be Well, Love P.J.
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