whyBut there is one major difference between the many hierling shepherds and the good shepherd: 'the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep' (v.11b). In other words, Jesus was willing to voluntarily lay down His life for the benefit of the sheep. This voluntary sacrifice is to be understood as a substitutionary sacrifice. Christ’s death as a substitute means that those for whom He died will not taste death–the second death.
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