THE GOOD SHEPHERD LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE

Passage: John 10:11-21

Key verse: 11

NIV

11 “I am(A) the good shepherd.(B) The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.(C) 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.(D) 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;(E) I know my sheep(F) and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father(G)—and I lay down my life for the sheep.(H) 16 I have other sheep(I) 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(J) and one shepherd.(K) 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life(L)—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.(M) I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”(N)

19 The Jews who heard these words were again divided.(O) 20 Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed(P) and raving mad.(Q) Why listen to him?”

21 But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon.(R) Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”(S)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

11 (A)I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd (B)lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is (C)a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and (D)leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and (E)scatters them. 13 He flees because (F)he is a hired hand and (G)cares nothing for the sheep. 14 (H)I am the good shepherd. (I)I know my own and (J)my own know me, 15 (K)just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and (L)I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And (M)I have other sheep that are not of this fold. (N)I must bring them also, and (O)they will listen to my voice. So there will be (P)one flock, (Q)one shepherd. 17 (R)For this reason the Father loves me, (S)because (T)I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 (U)No one takes it from me, but (V)I lay it down (W)of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and (X)I have authority to take it up again. (Y)This charge I have received from my Father.”

19 (Z)There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them said, (AA)“He has a demon, and (AB)is insane; why listen to him?” 21 Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. (AC)Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. The good shepherd and the hired hand (11-13) Jesus said that he is the good shepherd. The difference between a good shepherd and a hired hand is commitment to the sheep. The good shepherd protects his sheep and will even lay down his life for them. The hired hand does not own the sheep and will abandon the sheep in the face of danger. Jesus is our good shepherd. He laid down his life for us to pay for our sins and to destroy the devil's work. Jesus will never forsake us. 2. Jesus knows the Father (14-21) Twice more Jesus repeats that he lays down his life for the sheep (14, 18). As Jesus knows the Father and the Father knows him, so we can know Jesus just as we are known by him. Jesus' love relationship with his Father is revealed in his willing obedience to lay down his life by going to the cross. Jesus lays down his life of his own accord. Anyone who believes in Jesus, regardless of human background, receives forgiveness of sins and becomes Jesus' sheep.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Jesus our good shepherd, who laid down his life for us and protects us even now. Help me to know Jesus better and make him known.

One Word: Jesus laid down his life for us