The Test

"Jesus said: 'I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them.' " - John 10:11-12

We're all used to the metaphor of Jesus being the Good Shepherd. But Jesus goes one step further here, and reminds us that he's willing to give his life up for us - something that the false prophets before and after him would fail to do. He's reminding us that, no matter what, he'll be there for us. Always. And no matter what comes in the night, he'll protect us.

It's interesting that this reading comes up shortly after the celebration of his victory over death - because we already know he's willing to do this for us. In fact, he already had. But when he's talking to the Jews, they have no idea what Jesus's life has in store - that, at some point soon, he'll be put to the test for what he just said.

Lucky for us, he passes.