No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father. John 10:18 NABRE
Jesus is speaking with his disciples about shepherding, saying a good shepherd will give his life for his sheep. Within this context Jesus relays that His life is being given because he lays it down on His own. This carries with it two powerful intentions, the first is that God alone has the power over life and death and this power is something the Father and the Son both have. “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life, so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes.” (John 5:22) Jesus is letting the listener know that He is the Son of God and has power over life and death, including His own life and death. Jesus is also speaking about His love and generosity by offering His own life for those who require salvation. Jesus speaks about giving selflessly and unselfishly in the passage and often other places that attest to Him and His life. So Jesus in his desire to demonstrate the love He has for all people offers His life as a gift, no greater gift has even been offered. The final aspect of this verse speaks about Jesus following the commands He has received from His Father. Though Jesus has the power over life and death, and though Jesus is generous in offering His life as a gift of love; Jesus always does the will of His Father, He is always obedient to the commands of His Father.
Jesus by following the command of His Father teaches that sometimes to lead others we must obey others as well as serve others. To be the Son of God, and follow the commands of the Father is a remarkable example of leadership. We should all be like Jesus and give selflessly, while we do the will of God.
How do you lead? What do you think of Jesus’ leadership?
To be the Son of God, and follow the commands of the Father is a remarkable example of leadership. We should all be like Jesus and give selflessly, while we do the will of God. Click To Tweet#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #gift #life #John #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways