14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd. 17 “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. 18 No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”
Assurance of pardon for a communion Sunday
Brothers and sisters, God does not leave us in our sin and shame. He does not abandon us to our self-centered decision-making. We prefer to starve ourselves on the world’s bread that cannot satisfy. But at this table, our God provides us with the Bread of Life. Jesus...