Jesus Lays Down His Life

John 10:14-18 In 2004 Mel Gibson produced the movie The Passion of the Christ. The movie is an attempt to describe the events surrounding the death by crucifixion of the historical person Jesus of Nazareth. The movie seeks to answer such questions as: Who were the persons responsible for His death? Where do the gospels place blame? Is the blame to be placed upon the Pharisees, Sadducees, and scribes who brought charges against Him and handed Him over to Pilate the Roman governor of Judea? Is the blame to be placed upon Pilate who ultimately was the only one who had the authority to order death by crucifixion? The movie shows in graphic details the horror of the brutal beating that the Roman soldiers inflicted upon the victim. It shows how they spit upon Him. They pressed into His head a crown of thorns. They strip Him of His clothes and place a purple robe on Him. Purple is a color of royalty. So, having placed on Him a purple robe, they mocked Him calling Him the King of the Jews. This mockery is especially cruel because the Romans regard Caesar as the only king. They marched Him up the road to a hill called Calvary bearing the weight of His cross as He continued to suffer abuse by Roman soldiers. The movie attempts to give insight into how Jesus got into this situation in the first place. What had He done? Why were the Jews upset with Him? Why was He a threat to them? What threat was He to the Romans? All of these questions and others deal with the human reasons for the crucifixion of the historical Jesus. On the other hand, the movie does little to explain to us the God side of the issue. As I think about our celebration of the death of Jesus I am reminded that even in our preaching and teaching; our songs; Easter speeches and programs, we too tend to focus more on the human side of the issue. Maybe it is because we are able to identify with the human condition. The text that we have before us gives us insight to the God side of the issue; particularly Jesus’ own view of His death. John 10 is the story of a confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees that takes place in chapter nine. Jesus heals a man that was born blind. Afterwards, Jesus finds the man and asks him a question. ‘“Do you believe in the Son of God?’” (9.36, NASB) The confrontation continues and Jesus begins to speak in parables. He points out that He, and not the Pharisees, is the One that God sends to bring salvation to His people. Jesus calls Himself the “Good Shepherd” and the owner of the sheep. Essentially, the Pharisees are like hired shepherds that work only for money with no real concern for the sheep. This brings us to our text. Jesus predicts His crucifixion and gives us His view of the issue. This text is one of several texts recorded in the gospels that give us insight to the God side of the issue. First, Jesus owns the sheep. In the Old Testament the people of God are called sheep, and those who have the responsibility to take care of the sheep are called shepherds. In Jeremiah 23 and Ezekiel 34 God describes the shepherds of Israel as being inadequate to provide care for the sheep. Although the Pharisees see themselves as guardians of the sheep, Jesus says that they are no more than hired hands. Jesus declares Himself to be the “door of the sheep” (v.7) and the “good shepherd” (v. 11). In doing so Jesus declares that forgiveness of sin and salvation are found in Him alone. There is no substitute. There is no alternative truth. Jesus is the protector of the sheep. He will not allow the wolf to destroy the sheep because they belong to Him. Do you believe that Jesus protects you? It is easy to doubt Jesus’ protection when we see evil, hurt, harm, and danger come upon the people of God. At this point let me point out that Jesus is primarily using the wolf as a metaphor for Satan and his ministers. The sheep belong to Jesus and He declares that He gives them eternal life and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of His hands (Jn. 6:28). Later, Jesus tells Martha that He is the resurrection and the life (11:25) and He gives eternal life to all that believe in Him. Eternal life begins when we believe in Jesus and never ends. Thus, Jesus protects us not from every physical harm and danger. Rather, He protects us from the thief that comes to steal and to kill and destroy (10:10). The believer is assured that their salvation is secure. Jesus gives His life for the sheep. He knows the Father and the Father knows Him. Jesus knows the Father’s love for the world. Jesus knows the Father’s plan for our salvation. Jesus knows that He alone is the One that the Father will use to accomplish His plan. God’s plan is that a perfect sacrifice will be offered for the redemption of humanity. Jesus, the Son of God, is that perfect sacrifice. Finally, Jesus makes one of the most definitive statements that express His own point of view of His death. He says, ‘“The Father loves me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it up again. “No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father” (10:17-18, NASB). God chose the time for Jesus’ death. God creates the situations that lead to the people taking actions to kill Jesus. Jesus obeys the command that He receives from His Father. As Jesus hangs on the cross the bible records seven last sayings that Jesus makes. John records that Jesus says that ‘“It is finished!’ And He bowed His head and gave up His Spirit” (19:30). Jesus completes the work of salvation that the Father sends Him to do. As a child and even into my early adult years I wondered why the church celebrates the death of a man. We say and the bible affirms that Jesus was an innocent man. How can we celebrate His death? We can celebrate because we know that Jesus’ death was an initiative of God. Jesus lived an innocent life, but He died a sinner’s death because he bore the sins of the world. God accepts His death as a substitute for the death of all who believe in Him. The death of Jesus is God’s demonstration of His love for us. We can celebrate because we know that Jesus rose from the grave. Our sins are forgiven. We have been reconciled to God and enjoy life with Him now and forever. Jesus of His own will and the will of the Father laid down His life for all who believe in Him.