John 10:1-21 (Nov 10th)
The imagery of the Shepherd and the Sheep would be a powerful one for this culture, perhaps less so for us! That said as you consider the image that Jesus is painting here, consider the key ideas of listening, following, commitment, protecting and dieing. Finally note Jesus point about His authority and His choice.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:35 am
Now that Janet’s parents are raising sheep in their retirement, I have a much more vivid image in my mind as to what Jesus is talking about here in verses 2-5. Each year there are several lambs that for what ever the reason are either rejected by their mother, or in the case of triplets cannot be adequately taken care of. These lambs, left to themselves, would die and so they must be rescued and bottle fed. These animals require a great deal of attention and care. As a result, the bottle lambs generally get named and become much more attached to Janet’s Dad (Jim) than the rest of the lambs. Eventually these lambs are introduced to the rest of the lambs and to me are indistingushable from the rest. However, in the morning at feeding time, it is the bottle lambs that come running first when Jim calls them. 2 “The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”
November 10th, 2009 at 10:41 am
I have always liked the bit about Jesus being the gate, I remember when I learnt that the shepherds would lie down at the entrance to protect the flock at night, it opened my eyes to the reality that Jesus is there to protect us and the only way we can enter into the flock is through him. He is there to keep out the enemy and to lead us where we need to go.
A great passage, such love.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:19 am
Who is the hired hand? Perhaps false pastors?
I know the Mormons point to verse 16a (”I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also.”) as evidence that Jesus came to America.
This passage makes me think of another passage where I think Jesus talks about going after the errant sheep who strays away from the herd. That comforts me because it says that Jesus is concerned with us as individuals, not just as a group of all His children.