Lent Devotional Day 34- Saturday 4/12/14 John 10:6-11 & 14-16 (NLT) Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didnt understand what he meant, so he explained it to them. “I assure you, I am the gate for the sheep,” he said. “All others who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures. The thiefs purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep... “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice; and there will be one flock with one shepherd. Reflection: Jesus had given them a metaphor about himself, and they didnt understand, so he explained it to them. In this interaction, Jesus calls himself the gate to the sheepfold as well as the good shepherd. The people were familiar with sheepfolds and shepherds because sheep were an integral part of commerce, diet, and religion to them. What was he saying to them, and what is he saying to us? The sheepfolds of the day were to protect the sheep at night, and had stone walls with only one gate, guarded by a shepherd. All sheep had to enter and exit through that one gate. Jesus claims to be that gate, through which salvation is found. He says all others claiming to be the way in were thieves seeking to steal, kill and destroy, while he came to offer life in its fullness. Bold statements! (Which is he: Legend, lunatic, liar or Lord?) He also describes himself as the good shepherd, willing to die for his sheep, knowing them and being known by them. Confident in relationship. Trusting the sheep to follow his voice alone. Tell me, is your confidence in your ability to hear, or is it in Gods ability to speak? Go for the latter; trust Gods ability to get himself across to you. All you have to do is posture your heart as a sheep ready to follow. He also said he has sheep in other sheepfolds. Most scholars Ive read say that he is referring to the non-Jews (the Gentiles) of the day. Probably so. But what can that mean to us today? Are there still other sheep in sheepfolds we dont recognize? Sheep who will listen to his voice when he calls. He didnt say, they would become his sheep; he said they already are his sheep, theyre just not part of his flock yet. Who can you think of that is as abhorrent to you now as the Gentiles were to the Jews then? Could they be the sheep about which Jesus spoke? Much to chew on today... Prayer: Good Shepherd, dont let me trust in my ability to hear, but rather, in your ability to speak. Help me silence all the clamoring voices of my own ego so I can hear you. Open my eyes; open my heart to see those other sheep about which you speak. Make us one flock... your flock.
Posted on: Sat, 12 Apr 2014 07:08:07 +0000
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