Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading 
John 10:1–18

“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away — and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 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.” (NRSV)

Reflection

As humans, one of our most profound emotional needs is to experience trust, an unwavering belief that someone we love will always be there for us — especially during those times we may not be at our most lovable. As a parent, for example, I believe one of the most precious behaviors I’ve tried to model for my children is the knowledge that — no matter what — my arms and my heart are always open to them. It is the bedrock of the relationship.

In this deeply powerful passage Jesus reminds the Pharisees that he alone is the gatekeeper of his flock (and the sheep are unwavering in that knowledge). He contrasts his commitment to that of a wrongdoing flock of thieves and robbers, reminding his listeners that he, Jesus the Shepherd, stands alone in his commitment to lay down his life for his followers. He is adamant: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me shall be saved, and shall come in and go out, and shall find pasture.” This declaration assures that the sheep who believe will find a “forever” resting spot, an ongoing acceptance from God the Father.

At the close of the passage, Jesus hints at the coming resurrection. He pronounces his power over life and death, including his own death. I found this observation from a source called bibleref.com to be particularly poignant: “The audience seemed torn between Jesus being possessed — the ancients’ reference to insanity — and being a miraculously-verified messenger.”

Clearly the sheep had the inside track on this one.

Prayer

Creator God, thank you for watching over me, as I’ve strayed from the path many times. I never ventured too far from my destination, thanks to you and the loving, guiding hand that I so often feel on my shoulder. Amen.

Written by Betsy Storm, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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