Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. We gather together today, not as strangers or mere acquaintances, but as a flock under the tender care of our Shepherd. Each one of us, uniquely loved, uniquely called, and uniquely guided by our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, we shall turn our hearts and minds to the comforting words of our Savior in the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verses 11 through 18. The words that assure us of His love, His sacrifice, and His unity with us. Let's read together: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 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. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 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. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 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."

What a profound assurance of the Shepherd's love for His flock! He lays down His life for us, His sheep. He knows us, and we know Him. He is not a distant observer, but an intimate protector, a loving guide, a selfless savior.

Sacrificial Service of the Shepherd

In the heart of this passage, we find the essence of our Savior's love, encapsulated in His willingness to lay down His life for His sheep. This is no ordinary shepherd, who might flee at the first sign of danger, leaving the flock to fend for themselves. No, this is the Good Shepherd, who values each sheep so much that He would give His own life to protect them.

This act of laying down His life is not a reluctant obligation, but a willing sacrifice. It's a testament to the depth of His love for us. He doesn't just risk His life, He gives it. This is the ultimate act of service, the ultimate expression of love. In the face of such love, we are called to respond. We are called to recognize the value of the sacrifice made for us. We are called to appreciate the depth of the love that drove this sacrifice. But let's consider this further.

The shepherd's sacrifice is not just about the act of laying down His life. It's also about the way He lived His life. He lived a life of service, always putting the needs of His sheep before His own. He cared for them, guided them, protected them, and loved them. His life was a living sacrifice, a constant offering of love and service.

This is a model for us to follow. We are called to live our lives as a living sacrifice, always ready to serve others, always ready to put their needs before our own. We are called to love as we have been loved, to serve as we have been served. This is the way of the Good Shepherd, the way of love and service. But there's more.

The shepherd's sacrifice is not just about His death, or even His life. It's also about His resurrection. He laid down His life, but He also took it up again. He died, but He also rose again. His sacrifice was not the end, but the beginning. It was not a defeat, but a victory. It was not a loss, but a gain. We are called to live in the light of the resurrection, to live with the hope of victory, to live with the joy of new life. We are called to see every sacrifice as a step towards victory, every loss as a gain, every death as a birth.

Finally, let's not forget the context of the shepherd's sacrifice. He didn't lay down His life for a flock of perfect, obedient sheep. He laid down His life for a flock of wayward, stubborn, and often disobedient sheep. He loved them not because they were lovable, but because He is love. He served them not because they deserved it, but because He is service.

Shepherd's Selflessness for the Sheep

In the heart of this passage, we find the Shepherd's selflessness for the sheep ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO