John 10: Powerful Servanthood
Read: John 10, Psalm 10
Who: Who wrote this book? Who did they write it to? What was their reason for writing?
What: What does this passage say about God, me, and my relationship with Him?
17 “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. 18 No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” John 10:17-18(NLT)
John 10 shows us Jesus as the shepherd. He knows his followers, he guides them, he cares for them, and he lays his life down for them.
John 10:17-18 demonstrates that Jesus was not a powerless sacrifice. Jesus chose to give up his life for us. Again and again, we see Jesus had great power and authority, but he was a servant leader.
Why: Why is this truth important?
Jesus demonstrated that his love and sacrifice for us was completely his choice. He was never the victim of circumstances or at the mercy of the will of others. Jesus chose to walk through hell so that we could experience heaven. He knew the price it would cost and willful laid down his life in oder for humanity to discover what life truly is.
How: How would my life/character/perspective be different if I truly believed this truth?
I play the victim too often in my life. I believe that the circumstances of my life dictate my reality. Yet Jesus gives us a different perspective on life. As followers of Christ we can access his authority even in the face of difficult circumstance. It is through his willful sacrifice that we can expereince true victory and live our lives beyond any circumstance that we may face.
Prayer:
Jesus, help me to live my life in your example as a willing servant. Thank you for choosing to give me freedom through your sacrifice.
Amen
Jon Burtram is the lead pastor at Redemption Church Charlottesville, a die hard Redskins fan, and an amazing husband and father.
Jonathan earned a Masters of Divinity from Regent University and a degree in Biblical Studies from Evangel University. He has been in the pastorate for over ten years, and he is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God.