Jesus reveals the purpose for which He was sent by the Father: to lay down His life for our salvation. In the passion narrative we witness the unfolding of God’s plan for salvation as Jesus lays down His life for His people. John 10 is the familiar passage showing Jesus as the Good Shepherd, which we just studied last week in our focus on the “I Am” statements. Jesus spoke these words during a period of intense persecution by the Jewish religious leaders.
This opposition is moving Jesus towards the inevitable – His arrival in Jerusalem during Passover week, which will culminate in His crucifixion. Jesus declares himself to be the Good Shepherd in stark contrast to the religious leaders of the day. The thing that sets Jesus apart as the Good Shepherd is His willingness to lay down His life for His sheep– the very purpose for which He was sent. This week in our study of the Passion narrative, we will see Jesus in both roles as the Good Shepherd and the Passover Lamb. We will witness the unfolding of God’s plan for salvation as Jesus lays down His life for His people.
Consider the following questions:
- Why were the religious leaders opposed to Jesus and His ministry?
- Describe why and how the words of Jesus in our text are a foreshadowing of the events of the Passion Week.
- What difference does it make for us to know that Jesus had authority even in the moments in which He appeared to be most weak and helpless?
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