Jefferson Vann shares a devotional thought about Jesus’ death.
John 10:14-18
14 “I am the proper shepherd. I know the ones who are mine, and the ones who are mine know me,
15 just as the Father knows me, I also know the Father, and I lay down my soul for the sheep.
16 But I have other sheep who are not from this sheep pen; I must lead them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will become one flock, one shepherd.
17 This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my soul so that I may take it up again.
18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
he laid down his soul for us
In this interesting continuation of the gate/shepherd/sheep parable, Jesus carries the allegory out. There is still a connection with the parable, because three characters still remain: the owner, the proper shepherd, and the sheep.
Jesus repeats and augments his statement about laying down his soul. The soul is the life on loan from God. To lay her down (ψυχή is a feminine noun, so all the pronouns are actually “her”) is to die willingly, to take her up again is to be raised to life again. Jesus was not talking about the so-called immortal soul. If it were immortal, he could not lay it down. He is talking about his part of divine plan for our salvation – his voluntary death on the cross.
Jesus also shows the Father’s part in the plan, in loving the Son, but also in giving him the right (ἐξουσία) to die and be resurrected.
Jesus also talks about the other sheep that he must lead (ἄγω). He’s talking about all those who will become part of God’s flock after his resurrection. That is us.
Lord, thank you for your love and grace that brought salvation to the rest of us.
More Devotional Thoughts
About Jefferson Vann
Jefferson Vann pastors Piney Grove Advent Christian Church in Delco, North Carolina, USA. He is a teacher, Bible translator, and avid blogger. "My hope is that everyone who reads my writings will have an opportunity to understand the gospel, and will know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior." He has written books on theology and Bible commentary. You can read more of Jeff's writing at Devotions | Jefferson Vann | Commands of Christ | Learning Koine Greek Together
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