John 10:17-18, The Sacrificial Love of the Good Shepherd

17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may 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 I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father."

The self-sacrifice of Jesus opens the gate for a united humanity, undoing what sin had created. But what is the motivation of God? Why should Jesus lay down his own life? Why not another way forward? John makes four points in these verses about love.

First, the Father loves the Son because he is willing to love us even unto death. That is deep, profound, sacrificial love that is directed one way and does not expect a return or reward. We call this grace because it is undeserved on our part and given freely on the part of God, which is the second point. Jesus lays down his life voluntarily of his own accord and is forced by no one. True love is never forced but is given voluntarily.

Third, the love of Jesus moves us beyond death. Divine, sacrificial love overcomes death, moving him and us to resurrection. What Jesus lays down (his life), he will also take up again (his resurrection). And fourth, the Father has always had this love in mind as a charge to his obedient Son before the foundation of the world. Love is at the center of the Trinity and holds the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together as one God. The Trinity is a mystery we humans can barely grasp—at least we can give it a name—but it is the very essence of God whose mission is fulfilled in the sacrificial love that brings a united flock into an eternal relationship with One Shepherd.

Give thanks today for the amazing love of God, and ask him to help you practice sacrificial love in your life.