"For thisreasonthe FatherlovesMe, becauseI lay downMy lifesothat I may takeit again.
"Behold,My Servant,whom I uphold;My chosenone [in whom] My souldelights.I have putMy Spiritupon Him; He will bringforthjusticeto the nations.
The LORDwas pleasedfor His righteousness'sakeTo makethe lawgreatand glorious.
"I amthe goodshepherd;the goodshepherdlays downHis lifefor the sheep.
evenas the FatherknowsMe and I knowthe Father;and I lay downMy lifefor the sheep.
"No onehas taken it awayfrom Me, but I layit downon My own initiative.I haveauthorityto lay it down,and I haveauthorityto takeit up again.ThiscommandmentI receivedfrom My Father."
Thereforethere arosea discussionon the part of John'sdiscipleswith a Jewaboutpurification.
"YOU HAVE LOVEDRIGHTEOUSNESSAND HATEDLAWLESSNESS;THEREFOREGOD,YOUR GOD,HAS ANOINTEDYOU WITH THE OILOF GLADNESSABOVEYOUR COMPANIONS."
But we do seeHim who was madefor a little whilelowerthanthe angels,[namely], Jesus,becauseof the sufferingof deathcrownedwith gloryand honor,sothat by the graceof GodHe might tastedeathfor everyone.
