11/21/2017
Jesus didn’t come to earth to redeem us because He felt sympathetic love, He came at the Father’s request to do a job, and that job was to defeat sin, and glorify God Himself. His task was to mend the rift between God, and man who He created, by the only way possible... His sacrifice in death.
“I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.”
John 17:4 ESV
Jesus understood why He was born, and went about His life with full knowledge and expectation of laying that life down when it was time to complete His work here. His primary duty wasn’t to love on us... it was to save us by paying in death our debt of sin. Calvary wasn’t sprung on Him suddenly as a surprise, but had been the will of God all along.
“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father."”
John 10:18 ESV
There is a bit of wisdom told among older people; it is rather humorous, but has truth in it; the statement goes like this...
“You know you’re getting old when you stoop to tie your shoes, and wonder what else you can do while you’re down there.”
I look at the life of Jesus and wonder if He wasn’t adhering a bit to this same wisdom by looking around for other things to do while He was down here. He came to defeat sin, and to redeem mankind, but since bending down came with such effort and suffering, He decided that while He was here He should teach us more of God and what was expected of us as His children.
“So Jesus answered them, "My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.”
John 7:16 ESV
Jesus taught so that we could follow Him. He was preparing to walk through the eye of the needle, and wanted us to follow Him through... not in defeating death and sin, but in coming eternally into the glory of God. It was the job of Jesus to deal with sin, it is ours to do our savior’s commandments, and adhere to His teaching. Sheep aren’t the shepherd, but if they follow after His voice then they will surely find safety and life.
Jesus taught His disciples, and he left lessons for others to come. We have been passing these lessons on, one to another, for centuries. He spoke of laying down His life for the sheep who were with Him at that moment, but He also spoke of other sheep who were not in this fold... He spoke of us.
“just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”
John 10:15-16 ESV
Do you understand that the Good Shepherd has laid down His life for you? Do you realize that He has paid your debt and redeemed you from sin? Can you hear His voice beckoning you to come? If so, then what is your decision? Will you follow Him, or choose to refuse the price He has paid for you? The work of Jesus is done here... will you walk on with Him?
Choose!
“And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”
John 17:5 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for sending your Son to defeat sin that we might be reconciled. I thank you for your will and plan that was laid even before the world existed, and which included me. I praise your name Holy Father for your mercy and the suffering that Jesus endured in its unfolding. You are good Father, and all things do work together for our good as we share in love with you. Help us to follow Jesus, our Shepherd. Teach us to listen to His voice, that we should come into your presence, your sin-free pasture, and live within your glory forever. Hear my praise, feel my love, and know that you are my God.
Rich Forbes