Freedom to Choose

In John 10, Jesus refers to himself as the good shepherd – which is a lovely picture and brings me much peace.  He says the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep, which Jesus did for us.

However, he then says that no one takes his life, but that he lays it down “of my own accord.”  He says he had the authority to lay it down and take it up again because he received that command “from my Father.”

God gives us free will, as well, to either lay down our lives for His name, to give it all – to surrender to Him – or to take it up again. This is something our Father gives to us – the freedom to choose.

Jesus chose to lay down his life because of the trust he had with his Father that in laying down his life, choosing to obey, he would be raised again to life.

Free will is a dangerous thing for man.  But God is willing to grant us that gift so that we can truly know the joy that comes from choosing Him – in dying to ourselves.

Resurrection day is a few days away – choose now to celebrate.