Jesus’ sacrifice would be amazing if He had gone through it while unprepared, but the amazing thing is that He knew about it and didn’t run from it. Jesus didn’t flinch when it came to securing our redemption.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. 13 This happens because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care about the sheep.
John 10:11-13
Before Jesus ever went to the cross, He was fully aware of where this path was leading. The death of Jesus was God’s plan before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:19-20). He saw the cross and pursued it joyfully (Hebrews 12:2).Â
What kind of person would know that danger awaits him and still move toward it eagerly? Only Jesus, whose heart is more concerned with laying Himself down so we don’t get what we deserve. Jesus made this statement about sacrificing Himself before He did it. That means He saw it clearly and still advanced toward it. Death didn’t keep Him away. Our salvation was His motivation to endure.
Jesus contrasted His commitment to hired hands who would flee when enemies would come (John 10:12). Those religious leaders who care more for themselves wouldn’t stick around once they felt threatened. Their absence would reveal their highest priority and leave the sheep vulnerable. That’s not how Jesus operates. He wasn’t going anywhere, no matter how endangered He was.
If you grew up in church, the danger is that Jesus’ willing sacrifice has become customary to you. You’ve heard the story of the cross numerous times, sung about it in countless songs, and become dangerously familiar with the greatest act of sacrifice in history. No matter how long you have known this truth, I want you to pray that God would remove the cobwebs from your heart and be in awe again that Jesus saw the bloody cross in His future and didn’t turn away.
He loves you that much!
He honestly does care for us as His sheep (John 10:13).
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
