Quote for the Day
“…have it to the full.”
Today's Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for the relationship you have provided me. Draw me closer to you each day.
John 10:7-21
John 10:7-21 (NIV)7 Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns 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. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father —and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 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. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life —only to take it up again. 18 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.”19 At these words the Jews were again divided. 20 Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?”21 But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
Message
If we took a survey of all believers and asked who thinks God the Father and Jesus the Son have the greatest (and closest) relationship possible, I think most would vote a very strong “Yes.” If we then asked those same people if they wanted to have the same type of relationship with Jesus, their answer would also be a big, “YES!” The great news is that we have that same relationship, and it is Jesus who is the power behind it. Below is the story of the sheep and the shepherd, and Jesus takes the time to explain in even more detail. In verse 14 and 15 we read, “…I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father…”We have the same relationship with Jesus and the Father as Jesus has with the Father! What a great privilege to be one of the sheep in Jesus’ flock. Look carefully at the last half of verse 15, “…and I lay down my life for the sheep.” What is important to remember is that it is not something we strive for or work hard at; it is what we have received upon salvation. After salvation it is about resting in that relationship with the Shepherd and growing in the intimacy we long for. HE is our rest.