Lent 2022 • Week Five

Sunday, March 27th, 2022

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
— Colossians 2:13,15 (NIV) —

Why Did Jesus Have To Die?

Jesus died to disarm the powers of sun, death, and the devil.

Bible Reading • John 10:11-18

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Questions for Discussion

1. The good Shepherd protects His sheep with His own life. How does this demonstrate the love of Jesus?
   • Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the world on the cross, so that you and I could have victory over death, spiritual death. Because of Jesus, the devil has been defeated. Jesus died on the cross willingly, knowing this was the only way to cleanse all humankind of the sin that separated us from God. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He will lead us to glory, a glory beyond our wildest dreams and guide us to the Father, His Father to spend eternity with them. Jesus loves us so much that He would have died on the cross if only for one of His sheep to be saved.
   • Isaiah 40:11 “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”
   • Psalm 23:1 A Psalm of David. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
2. Verse 18 explains that Jesus has the authority to lay down His life and pick it back up again. What does this tell us about Jesus?
   • “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” ~John 10:18
   • Jesus was of offerer and the offering on the cross. Jesus had sovereign authority to dispose of His life, He offered it so that you and I could be saved from the sting of spiritual death. The devil has no power over the soul once freely given to God. Jesus was not a debtor to life or death, He gave His life for our redemption. The grace of Christ is that He offered and laid down His life, no one took it. *A great resource is Matthew Henry Commentary ~see link below.
3. What do you want to say in response to Jesus.
   • Jesus thank you for loving me, for creating me, and giving me purpose. I am not worthy of the price you paid on the cross, it is only by your love, grace and mercy I am set free of sin and shame.

To Jesus With Love ©

Lord, fill me with your spirit 
Fill me to overflowing 
Help me spread your love
Through my actions
Through my speech
Through my prayers

I am nothing without you
Teach me your ways O Lord
Keep me within your loving embrace
Give me a humble heart 
Give me gentleness of words
Cover me with your abiding grace

I am a seeker O Lord
I thirst for new knowledge 
I am your willing servant
Guide me to your Truth
Chase after me when I go astray 
I am your child, I often wander way

Without you I am an empty vessel 
Without you I fill myself with selfish desires
Without you I am a stranger with no home
Without you I am poor sinful creature
Without you I would not be, for you are my Creator

You alone are my Rock
You alone are my Redeemer 
You alone are my Refuge 
You alone are my shelter 
You alone are my everything 
My Father, my Brother, my Spirit 

Your word tells me that I can do all things through you, help me to be ever present of your will, give me strength of perseverance until the day of your return or until you call me home.  

Your loving daughter. ©

March 24th, 2021
16:52 Solidas Park, IN

Friends, thank you for stopping by my blog today, I appreciate the support and encouragement. 💚🤗🛐🌻💜🌼

“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” —C.S. Lewis

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

References:

Colossians 2:13,15 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Colossians%202:13,15&version=NIV

John 10:11-18 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2010:11-18&version=NIV

John 10:18 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2010:18&version=NIV

https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/john/10.html