“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own 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. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; . . . 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.” Jn 10:11–18
Two thousand years ago, our Heavenly Father described Himself as the “good shepherd”—the one who willingly lays down His life for the sheep. The words “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” filled me with deep emotion both awe and sorrow. God chose the path of death to pay the price for the sins of His children who had turned away from Him. No one compelled Him; He walked that path freely. Without a moment’s hesitation, He came down to this lowly earth because His love for us was that profound.
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for another. God walked the path of suffering in our place, accepting pain and anguish as if they were His own, and finding joy in bearing the burdens of His beloved children.
Now that I have come to understand the sacrifice and love of Father and Mother, my heart longs more than ever to return to our heavenly home and offer Them my deepest, most heartfelt thanks.