The apostle John wrote how Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep. The hireling flees, because he is a hireling, and cares not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. The Father knows me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd”, and in chapter ten and verse seventeen of his book John shared how Jesus said, “therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life” where we read:
Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
The verse reads, “Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, ...” John began with the words, “therefore does my Father love me” which means “wherefore, then and on this account God Jesus' Heavenly Father is well pleased, contented and very fond of me, Jesus”, “because I lay down” or “since and on account that I, Jesus, lay aside, set forth and purpose” “my life” which means “my, Jesus', living being and soul which is the seat of the feelings, desires, affections and aversions”. John shared how Jesus said “God His Heavenly Father” “is well-pleased” with Him because He “gives” His “living body and soul”.
The verse continues, “... that I might take it again.” John added the words, “and I might take it” which means “so I, Jesus, may claim, procure and lay hold of Jesus' life” “again” or “another time”. John shared how Jesus added that not only would He “give” His life, but He would also “claim and procure” it another time.
When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus was sharing the idea that He would “give” His life and reclaim it again. Jesus came to die on the cross and be raised from the dead three days later to pay the penalty of death for the sins of the world. Jesus “gave” His “life” for every person, and anyone who will believe and trust in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” shall be forgiven of their sins and receive everlasting life with Him and His Father God. Those who are wise will understand the message of Jesus and yield their life to the only One who “gave” His “life” so they might be “saved”.
Next time John shares how Jesus says, “now man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself", so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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