Jesus came as the good shepherd to bring us into abundant life, to return us to the experience of Adam and Eve in the Garden before the fall. How is this accomplished?

  1. First, He sacrificed His life for the sheep. (John 10:11) “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (ESV) Jesus is very clear on His purpose: He is to die as the paschal lamb for sinful men so as to satisfy the justice of God and reunite men and women to Him. It would be sacrificial for He need not die. He knew no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). It would be voluntary and on His terms (John 10:18, Galatians 1:4). Its timing would be perfect, happening on the very day that lambs would be slaughtered on the altar of the Temple as part of the Passover celebration, a celebration of God’s love, mercy and grace when the angel of death passed over His chosen. How fitting that God display his ultimate love and grace and mercy on that day! It would be substitutionary. We deserved to die, but instead continue reading…