“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.”
In the third parable about sheep, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” In this passage, he expands on this statement and tells us more clearly what he means.
He says:
His Father’s love for him is based on his willingness to lay down his life. (This echoes Abraham and Isaac a bit.)
Then he adds that his life will be taken “up again.” (At this point his words are unlike any human in history. No one ever talks about giving up their life and then being able to take it up again.)
Jesus makes clear that when this happens, the taking of his life will not be forced on him but that he will choose to allow it to happen.
Finally, he explains that all of this can happen because he has the authority to make it happen and that it has been commanded by his Father.
Let’s Discuss: What does the fact that a person talks like this about life and death tell us about the person?
No answer from anyone. Well my thoughts are that person is maybe a little crazy, maybe not scared of death, or knows something I dont. But he does listen to his father and will lay down his life for him if asked and without hesitation. That is love for the father and love for a cause that you love more than your own life. His cause was to save us from sin, to give us a chance for eternal life. Or maybe I’m a little crazy for a cause.