God’s Volunteer Sheep

No one takes my life from me. I give it up willingly! I have the power to give it up and the power to receive it back again, just as my Father commanded me to do.

John 10:18 (CEV)

In chapter 10 of John’s Gospel, Jesus talks about his people—the ones who know, understand, and follow him. He compares the people to sheep, and Jesus is the good shepherd who takes care of his sheep and even lays down his life for them.

People often joke about being “volun-told” to do something—we are told we must volunteer. But God sent his Son, Jesus, to die for our sins, and Jesus came to earth willingly. No one made him volunteer.

Why did Jesus choose to die for you? Because he loves his sheep! He knew if he didn’t, we would die as guilty people, forever separated from a holy God. Jesus couldn’t let that happen.

Are you willing to follow the good shepherd, Jesus, who died for you? You will not be “volun-told” by God to be part of his flock. He lets you decide. To be one of his sheep, we must ask for forgiveness for what we’ve done wrong and give him control of our lives. That is the best decision we could ever make.

Let the good shepherd, Jesus, take care of you and watch over you. Give him your life today and become his sheep forever!

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

Draw a picture of a sheep in a journal or on some paper. As you do, pray for anyone you know who still needs to make the decision to follow Jesus.

PRAY

Jesus, thank you for volunteering to die for me. I want to be one of your sheep.

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Please read...

Isaiah 53:4–6

Isaiah 53:11–12

Matthew 26:53–54

Philippians 2:6–8