John 10:11

John 10:11 says, I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.  Jesus again said He was the Good Shepherd Who gave life to the sheep. If we are to follow the example of Christ, we should be willing to give everything to protect the church, His sheep.  He gave His life for all people, but He protects those who are His.  We need not fear the forces of evil, because we have the Good Shepherd to protect us.  Verse twelve adds, But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.  Verse thirteen continues, The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.  Jesus said that the hireling, who doesn't own the sheep, when he sees the wolf will flee and abandon the sheep.  The hireling does not set out to harm the sheep, but still puts himself ahead of the sheep.  Though Jesus alone is qualified to be the Good Shepherd, we as His followers need to ask how we behave when trouble comes to the church.  We can act as the Good Shepherd and lay down our life in defense of the church, God's people, or we can look to what is best for us.  Verse fourteen states, I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.  Once more Jesus said He was the Good Shepherd, and that he knows His sheep, and are known by them.  As His followers, His sheep, we must know and recognize His voice in order to follow Him.  Verse fifteen adds, As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.  Jesus said that as the Father knew Him, He also knows the Father: and He laid down His life for the sheep.  The death of Jesus for the salvation of the world was the Father's will.  It is also His will that we accept the gift of salvation that Jesus provides for us.  Nerse sixteen continues, And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.  Jesus spoke of other sheep not of this fold.  He was speaking of the Gentiles who were not of the Jewish fold.  That includes us.  He was not speaking of people in America, or anywhere else, that He physically appeared to.  His life on this earth was in a particular place in a particular time for a particular purpose.  Verse seventeen says, Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.  Verse eighteen adds, No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.  No one took His life, but He willingly lay it down, so He could take it up again.  As we are confronted by the lost world, how much are we willing to lay down for their salvation through Christ.  If we must lay down our life, we can rest assured that Jesus will raise us up again to everlasting life.