John 10:14-18
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 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.”
The second trait that Dzifa highlighted for leaders on Sunday, was caring for the people in their care, in Saul’s case his soldiers. Through Zechariah, God condemns the leaders of his people, calling them bad shepherds selling his people lies and false visions, failing to care for them, and for deserting them (Zechariah 10-11). This is the background behind Jesus who in contrast announced that he was the Good Shepherd who does not desert his people but gives their life for them.
Spirit, help us to live our lives for others in response to Jesus’ giving himself for us, so that we too might serve others and through our lives point them to our Father.
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