I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. – John 10:11

We too quickly move on from this as “first world Christians” walking in our comforts of life and liberties. We ponder our day to day and consider our friends those who meet our social needs, yet when will we stop long enough to consider the One Who met our eternal need for love, forgiveness, atonement, goodness, joy, and meaning?

Jesus is truly the only Way, the Truth, and the Life. As we consider Him as our Shepherd, it is sobering to consider the calling placed on our lives to model this same sacrificial love for those we lead spiritually to encounter Jesus more intimately this week. How can we lay our lives down for the sheep this week. If our Lord was willing to work with His Father to redeem us with the Spirit giving Him the needed power and clarity to be the sacrificial Lamb of God, how then should we live?

Father God, lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the enemy, for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever! May we truly follow our Master, our Teacher, and be His disciples to the point of daily laying down our lives for one another, showing such love for one another that the lost can’t help but want in on these communities of Jesus’ followers!