Thursday, May 19

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016

 

“’My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.’” (John 10:27–30)

 

In today’s reading, Jesus continues His discourse on identifying Himself as the Good Shepherd.  Implicit in this metaphor lies the role of His sheep, those who will “listen to my voice” and “follow me.”  Clearly, Jesus’s call to us propels a response, which wells up in faith and communion with the living God.

 

Encouragingly, the passage promises that, once we have responded to Jesus’s call, our faith will remain permanent and effective – that is, that God Himself will never leave us nor forsake us.  This promise may carry us through the ups and downs of daily life because we may rest assured that “on Christ the solid Rock I stand.”  Having responded in faith, we need not fear about abandonment.  The permanence of this connection may bring us peace in the storms of life.

 

Jesus’s comments here flowed after an inquiry from the Jews on His identity, where they asked Him about His claim to be the Messiah.  From what we may gather contextually, it seems that these questioners sought a factual answer out of fearful curiosity and stood ready to judge His statements.  Their interest in “knowing” did not emerge from a true hunger to know the Truth (the Person of Christ) but rather to question His proclamation of truth.  Please note that this incident shows us that we may know by faith or know only facts.

 

For us, we response to Jesus’s call in faith, resting on the facts of His life, death, and Resurrection.  We have deep reassurance of these truths through the testimony of the Scriptures, the willingness of early and recent Christ-followers to suffer and die for Christ, and the reality of God’s faithfulness in our own lives.  We know from this passage that He will protect and honor His sheep, yet, deeper still, we know Him and therefore love and honor Him.

 

Please consider watching this video, as the song touches upon the right response to the call of our Good Shepherd. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2h9Hm9JZho)

 

 

Lord Jesus, may You be rightly praised today.  You are indeed the Good Shepherd, and Your goodness to us stirs us to faith and restores our hope.  Thank You for calling us to Yourself.  Help us to serve well in pointing others to You.  Please use us to expand Your Kingdom in Stamford, Fairfield County, and beyond.  We love You and worship You with all our hearts, minds, and souls.  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

 

________________________________________
1) Blog:                  http://bit.ly/rV1Cw1

2) Facebook:        http://on.fb.me/tc6jkS