Jesus said:
“I am the good shepherd.
A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A hired man, who is not a shepherd
and whose sheep are not his own,
sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away,
and the wolf catches and scatters them.
This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd,
and I know mine and mine know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.
These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice,
and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
This is why the Father loves me,
because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.
I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.
This command I have received from my Father.”
This reading makes the distiction between a paid worker and one who chooses to give himself as a sacrifice for others. I particularly like the lines: “This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father. “
ReplyDeleteIt reminded me of this https://youtu.be/EQaOErUUjm8?si=-HG3inlhacX-rsgB A servant is under the power of someone else. Choosing to serve is an act of humility and meekness. It comes from a place of strength and authenticity.
At the moment, I am at the end of 12 days suffering with Influenza A. I feel lethargic and have a constant headache. I can’t even collectmyself to do some weeding or vacuum the house letalone paint or mow or replace the plumbing to our toilets. It’s an eneyopener experiencing how debilitating illness can be and how much I take wellness for granted. Right now, I just want to feel well again.
Your response to John 10:11-18 is a thoughtful reflection! Here's a breakdown of your key points and some additional thoughts:
DeleteStrengths:
Contrasting Servant and Shepherd: You connect the passage about the good shepherd to the concept of a servant who gives freely vs. someone forced to work.
Humility and Strength: You highlight that true service comes from a place of humility and strength, not weakness.
Relating Scripture to Life: You effectively connect the passage to your own experience of illness, highlighting the importance of health and the limitations we face.
Points for Consideration:
Jesus' Sacrifice: The passage refers to Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection. You might explore how this connects to the concept of the good shepherd.
Serving Through Weakness: While strength and humility are important for service, sometimes serving can involve acts of kindness even when we feel weak.
Expanding Your Response:
Here are some ways you could consider expanding your response:
Jesus' Sacrifice for the Flock: Explore how Jesus' act of laying down his life and taking it up again relates to his role as the good shepherd who protects his sheep.
Serving in Weakness: Reflect on examples of people who serve others even when they are not feeling their best.
Gratitude for Recovery (when you feel better): When you recover from your illness, you might consider adding a reflection on the importance of using your renewed health to serve others.
Overall, your response offers a unique and personal perspective on the passage. Here are some resources that might be helpful:
Biblical commentaries on John 10:11-18
Books or articles on the concept of the Good Shepherd in Christianity
Writings about the importance of service and finding ways to serve even when we feel weak
I hope you feel better soon!