April 24, 2021

I am the good shepherd…I will lay down my life for the sheep…No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. – John 10:11, 15, 18

This quote from today’s gospel should be read over and over again. We should ponder it and let its reality sink in. Jesus, God incarnate, laid down his life for you and for me. Jesus’ life lived from a place of sacrificial love is why we have life, both now and for eternity.

It is true that our God came to give His very life. “…Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28) Jesus’ earthly life was sacrificial from the start. He never wavered from His mission. Ever.

We need to recognize that Jesus laid down his life—nobody took it from Him, Jesus laid it down. He obediently followed the will of His Father and surrendered himself to death on a cross for us. We are the sheep of His flock, and He never stops loving us. Ever.

Jesus, to the end, shows us just how much He loves us. Let us say thank you today. Thank you, Jesus, for your great love, a love beyond our ability to understand. In our grateful hearts, Lord, show us ways where we can lay our lives down; where we can serve and love You and our sisters and brothers. Then give us the grace to do it. We praise you, Lord, we thank you, Lord, and we love you, Lord Jesus, our Good Shepherd! Amen.

He is Risen! Alleluia!




©Mary V. Pribbenow 2021