I'm going to lay down my life. When the wolf comes, the wolf is coming for me instead of you. I'm actually going to stand there and take it. When I say I'm going to lay it down and pick it up, I'm now telling you what it means for me to know you, how well I know you, and how I've chosen to never unlink myself from you. So when you ask: Am I a good sheep, I'm going to tell you again: I took it all for you. When I lay down my life I do it with all your sin on me. I do it because I know you. And by this, you will know me: I call you by name. That's the word that's going to be in your ear, not: What have you done? So when I pick up my life, I pick you up with me. I own you. Not as property, but I own you as someone who calls your name over and over again.
