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14. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.15. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.16. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.17. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.18. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.This commandment have I received of my Father.John 10:14-18 Christ is the Shepherd of the church, into which we place control and care, and have committed ourselves to follow His rules and guidelines. The Shepherd knows His sheep, and they know Him, in His divinity, in His role as Saviour, understanding the benefits of fellowship with Him. The relationship between Christ and the Father, is above what we can understand, acting in accordance with each other. The other sheep, not those of the Jewish nation, hear the voice of Christ in the Gospel message, and are brought out of the wilderness of sin and destruction. And become one fold, one church, with one Shepherd. Christ speaks plainly that no man can take His life, but that He does this because of His love for us. And His Father has approved His choice. Amen.