John 10:17-21 - I lay down my life

10:17

The Father loves the Son because the Son lays down His life for the sheep. When we talk about the Father loving the Son, or God loving us unconditionally, we often make the mistake of thinking it doesn’t matter what we do, or that our actions and motivations make no difference to the relationship. This is not true. Our actions and motives do matter, and they matter to God. Jesus also knew that though He was to lay His life down, He would be raised from the dead as well. This is particularly important in relation to Islam. Islam does not understand how God could allow His “prophet” to be slaughtered on a cross. Jesus laid His life down. While men had their plans and evil motives, it was Jesus who laid His life down. So we see here something of how the sovereignty of God and the will of man interact.

10:18

Laying down His life was an act of love. Love for us, but love for the Father as well. Moreover, there is no hint of Jesus persuading a reluctant God to forgive us. The Father wanted Jesus to lay down His life because that was the only way of saving us.

Jesus now makes clear that it was His decision to lay down His life. The Jewish leaders, nor the Roman authorities, were in charge, whatever the appearances might be. Jesus had authority to lay down His life. In the world we often misuse authority, we use it to get our own way, but Jesus used His authority to serve. He also had authority to take up His life again. Usually the Bible speaks of the Father, or God, raising Christ from the dead. Jesus had authority because He was submitted to the Father.

All that He did was done in obedience to the Father.

10:19-21

Not for the first time, Jesus’ words cause division. There is a lot of nonsense talked about Jesus bringing peace. He does bring peace, but only on God’s terms. More often He actually causes division because He forces us to choose, either to submit to God’s ways or to carry on in our rebellion.

Those who were opposed to Jesus simply claimed He was mad or demon possessed, or rather that a demon has caused insanity in Him. Now if Jesus was not actually the Son of God these would be completely reasonable conclusions. Any notion that Jesus was just a good and wise man bears little resemblance to the facts.

Others could not see how Jesus could be demon possessed. This conclusions was reached based on His teaching, and most of all upon His miracles. Why would a demon do good?