Good Lays Down

Today’s reading of John’s biography of Jesus, chapter 10 verses 1-21, offers us a picture of the kind of leader we are following. Jesus says,

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Stunning. So what does bad look like?

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…”

Got it. Anything more that would help fill in the context? Yes, thanks for asking.

Before Jesus, there was a fella named Judas Bar Hezekiah, he claimed to be Messiah, and his movement was supported by a band of highway robbers. Another fella who claimed to be Messiah was Athonges, a shepherd, who became a revolutionary by waging war on, and killing, Roman soldiers and some Herodians. But when the power of Rome flexed, he fled. Finally there was a guy named Simon of Perea, he was an escaped slave claiming to be Messiah, and he simply ransacked and destroyed Herod’s palace in Jericho. But that is his lone accomplishment, if you want to call it that.

Three would be Messiahs who simply came to steal and kill and destroy.

But Jesus lay down his life for his sheep, so walked the path of sacrificial love. And this way is the way, albeit paradoxical, for having life, and have it to the full.

Good doesn’t power over, good lays down so as to raise the other up. It’s counterintuitive and certainly countercultural.

The way of Jesus is not easy, but it is good. It is love.

On this day, and every day, may we choose the way of love.