“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know
me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And
I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not
belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen
to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this
reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order
to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down
of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have
power to take it up again. I have received this command from
my Father.” (John 10:14-18, NRSV)