Even in your leisure, risk loss of any kind to stay close to the ones you love.
Based on John 10:11-18, a reading from the Revised Common Lectionary for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, 4/22/18.
Jesus says that the good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep. When the wolf comes, the one who does not own the sheep (hired only to tend the sheep and, therefore, does not really care what happens to the sheep) runs away. The wolf snatches some of the sheep and the rest flee. Jesus is the good shepherd who cares for and loves the sheep. The sheep know Jesus is the real shepherd. In the same way, Jesus and the Father know and love each other. Jesus repeats that he lays down his life for the sheep. [He emphasizes a real life and death relationship.] Other sheep that are not yet in the flock belong to Jesus, too. Jesus will seek them out and they will know his voice and will join the flock under Jesus, the one shepherd. Jesus chooses to risk death; he is not forced to risk his life on the cross. He, himself, chooses to act in ways that lead to the cross. With God’s power at work in him, Jesus will rise from the dead.
A theme: The deepest kind of love will risk death for loved ones.
