11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may 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 I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” John 10:11-18 (ESV)
The everlasting GOD, CREATOR of everything, decided to put on human flesh, weak flesh, to come and buy us back to HIMSELF at the cost of HIS own BLOOD. Wow.
No one took HIS life from HIM. HE willingly gave it up so that you and I could have life and life more abundantly – life with HIM in heaven, and abundant life here on earth – so we could see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living (Psalm 27:12-14).
You and I paid nothing, yet we received everything.
We received access to HIS promise, the ability to hear and see the very VOICE of GOD.
We can hear and trust HIS promises to us because HIS love was demonstrated so dramatically.
The Cross made news across the known world and in all generations. Until today, most calendars in most countries measure time against the Cross. The SON of GOD cannot be ignored.
HE describes HIMSELF as the Good SHEPHERD.
When the enemy comes in like a flood, HE does not run away.
When the nations and the world are in turmoil, HE gives us HIS peace that passes all understanding.
When everyone else is in fear, we have faith because we know in WHOM we trust.
It’s not positive thinking when the foundation is JESUS CHRIST.
Our GOOD SHEPHERD is reliable.
Our GOOD SHEPHERD is faithful.
Our GOOD SHEPHERD will not pick up and run when HE sees trouble coming our way, nor does HE abandon us when we are in those hard places.
On behalf of the orphans, widows, disabled persons, and elderly the LORD has called you and I to care for, those who could never repay us, I thank you.
I thank you for being like JESUS to them, for not picking up and running when things got hard.
During the COVID-19 season, our giving has increased because you refused to let the orphan go hungry.
Thank you for reflecting JESUS CHRIST’s love to them – a love none of us deserved, and none of us could ever repay.
May the GOD who loves all of us continue to express how much HE loves you as you lay down your life for those HE loves. Amen.
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