Photo by Tamas Tuzes-Katai on Unsplash

You may listen to this message on my Anchor podcast Moving K.O.R.E. WORD by clicking on the link here:  Episode 5

In the previous message, Victory for the Sheep, we learn that JESUS is the Gate for the sheep.  Anyone and everyone may come to HIM as the Gate, enter through HIM, and be saved…  The sheep listen to HIS voice and not to a stranger. The sheep have victory in and through JESUS…  The thief, satan, comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.  JESUS, on the other hand, gives life and that being to the full…

In this message, I will focus on John 10:11-18.

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

JESUS conveys HIS heart that HE is the Good Shepherd…  HE reveals that part of being the Good Shepherd is laying down HIS life for the sheep.  In saying this, HE shows ownership of the sheep.  HE will be One who remains with the sheep and protects them from the enemy because HE cares for them…

The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. John 10:12-13

JESUS contrasts HIS commitment to the sheep to that of someone who is just a hired hand.  If he is a hired hand, he has no commitment in taking care of the sheep nor protecting them from harm.  A hired hand is there only as long as there are benefits for himself.  Once that is taken away by a threat of a predator, or the enemy, he takes off to protect his own life.

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14-15

JESUS reiterates that HE is the Good Shepherd.  HE has surety in who HE is… HE has surety of the sheep that are HIS own and the sheep have surety in knowing HIM…  There is a relationship established and maintained between them… HE has surety because GOD the FATHER knows HIM and HE knows the FATHER… During HIS earthly ministry, JESUS has done what HIS FATHER tells HIM to do…  Every person HE forgives, the healings HE performs, the deliverances HE brings about, the raising of the dead HE speaks life into, and the feeding of thousands are from GOD the FATHER HE has done these miracles for.  JESUS, being the Good Shepherd, lays down HIS life for the sheep. HE has surety of HIS role in that HE states exactly what the main part of HIS mission is to fulfill…  HE proves HE values the lives of HIS own and proved HIS ultimate love in shedding HIS blood on the cross at Calvary for each of us…

I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.  John 10:16

JESUS came for HIS own chosen people, the Israelites who are Jews.  However, there are other sheep HE knows HE will save… HE lays down HIS life for the whole world’s sins and so all others, or Gentiles, who come to believe and trust in HIM are HIS sheep also who will listen to HIM…  HE promises to bring them as well.  Where is HE going to bring them to?  HE is meaning that HE will bring them to Heaven to live with HIM forevermore…  The Jews and Gentiles will be brought together in Heaven as one flock with HIM being the One Shepherd who accomplishes this amazing and miraculous feat…

The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”  John 10:17-18

JESUS has valor in surety knowing the FATHER loves HIM for leaving Heaven to come to earth in order for all who will believe and trust in HIM to be reconciled in a right relationship with GOD the FATHER HIMSELF…  JESUS has valor in that HE understands that no one can take away HIS life, but it is HIS choice to die for us taking on our shame and guilt, to ransom us from our many sins, to rescue us from satan and hell, to restore our souls with this unfailing love, to redeem our lives with new purpose and vision, and to receive us into Heaven…  The FATHER has given JESUS the power and right to lay down HIS life and to take it up again.

JESUS laid down HIS life when HE went to the cross and shed HIS blood.  It was for HIS people, for you, and for me…  HE suffered painstakingly to forgive our sins we were born into and have committed, to release us from fear of death with HIS love that never fails, to remove the shame and guilt with HIS mercy and compassion, and to reconcile once broken fellowship to a right relationship with GOD the FATHER so that we may be children of GOD adopted into HIS family…

The Scroll and the Lamb

5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. ² And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” ³ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. ⁴ I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. ⁵ Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

⁶ Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits^[a] of God sent out into all the earth. ⁷ He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. ⁸ And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. ⁹ And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
¹⁰ You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign^[b] on the earth.”

¹¹ Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. ¹² In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”

¹³ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”

¹⁴ The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.  Revelation 5:5-14

JESUS became one of us (a human in the flesh, yet still GOD).  HE became for us the Lamb who was slain.  Because of HIS valor and with HIS blood, HE purchased persons from every tribe and language and people and nation…  In Heaven, there will be no racism!!!…

GOD the FATHER draws hearts to open up to HIS SON by HIS Spirit and loving-kindness to believe and put their trust in JESUS in whom HE is pleased with.  If you want to accept the free gift of salvation in repenting from your sins to believe and trust in JESUS and know with surety you’re going to Heaven, then you may receive HIM now…

The following is a prayer you may say from your heart:

FATHER GOD, thank YOU for sending your SON JESUS to die on the cross for my sins, that HE was buried, and that HE rose again to life.  I know I’m a sinner and I ask YOU to forgive me.  JESUS, I repent of my sin by turning away from it and ask YOU to come into my heart to save me and help me live a new life of freedom and joy with purpose and vision… in JESUS’ name Amen…

Your next steps are to continue to pray for JESUS to lead and guide you.  You will learn to hear HIS voice by reading and meditating on GOD’s WORD in the Bible…  As you walk along with JESUS, there will be times you will still discover wrong thought patterns that need to be renewed with HIS truth.  There will be wrong behaviors brought to your attention that you will need to confess to GOD (who will forgive you) and turn away from them toward purity and holiness…  It is an ongoing relationship in which you will learn to grow in obedience, in attitude, in faith, in hope, in love, and in service as unto HIM…  

If you have questions, connect with me here:  Connect

If you need prayer or want to share what GOD has done/is doing, connect with me here:  Share Your Life

If you desire to join K.O.R.E. ministry, connect here:  Get Involved

Remember:  JESUS loves you…