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I was impressed, as well, with the discussion around sacrifice. We, as under-shepherds, are limited in what we can do for the sheep. Yet, the Shepherd can lay down His life and take it up again.

It reminds me of the story of the chicken and the pig who considered giving the farmer a nice breakfast of eggs and bacon. The pig remarked that for the chicken it was a simple donation, but for him it was a matter of sacrifice.

I thank God for His sacrifice on behalf of the sheep and the lowly under-shepherds.

Until Jesus came, the sheep were sacrificed to cover the sins of the shepherds. Talk about reversal, Christ the good shepherd sacrificed himself for the sins of all the sheep!

The chapter on John really opened my eyes to the depth of the shepherding image as revealed through Christ. Christ is the suffering shepherd, who called his sheep, who led them to food and security. The surprising part is where they found it, in the shepherd himself. For his "body is real food" and in him is found the "water springing up to eternal life." What should flow from Christ's broken body on the cross? Blood and water, the essence of life for the sheep of his flock.
What power! What authority! Jesus is perhaps the only who can truly say, "The good shepherd lays down his life." Why? So the sheep can pick it up. The shepherd sacrificed for the sheep. He has prepared a table for us in the presence of our enemies and it is set with his body and blood. Our cups overflow and those that drink will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.