John 10
This whole chapter is about the Good Shepherd.
I couldn't remember if Jesus had been presented this way
in any of the other gospels,
so I searched the whole New Testament for the word "Shepherd"...
nope.
This parable is unique.
(There are a couple of other uses of the word shepherd,
like "He was moved with compassion toward them,
because they were like sheep without a shepherd",
but nothing like what I am finding here in chapter 10)
Its a comfort to hear the good news, isn't it?
and
and I'm assuming this one is for the gentiles like me:
and even better
sounds cool.
there's a plan.
its out of my hands.
the future is in better hands than mine.
and WHAT A PROMISE, eh?
not anyone shall pluck them out of My hand.
ok, that's the easy part.
It would be So nice to just stop there.
To rest in the care of the Shepherd.
but He says something else that makes me wonder
well, hmmm
It seems to me that christians are always following strangers
and getting into trouble.
From the first century through today,
you can find one case after another
of people who thought they were on the right path
only to find they had been led astray.
So it sounds so easy to read that
"my sheep know my voice"
but with only about a second of reflection on that statement
you have to conclude that an awful lot of christians
weren't really his sheep after all?
that's scary.
How many are just fooling themselves,
or more accurately, are being fooled?
by a wolf?
Maybe for a few who are already in the fold,
the ones in the midst of the true flock,
those blessed to be hearing the shepherd's voice,
maybe for them,
all is bliss and peace.
and they will be led to pasture
but how to be sure?
Do we have to hear the voice with a critical ear?
Should we be a little skeptical?
Or be the trusting mindless sheep?
You know, when I was younger
I used to make fun of people who I thought were sheep.
I had a lot of disdain for people who don't think for themselves.
(hmmm... had? maybe I still do HAVE that feeling)
So I guess I have something to pray about.
I think there is something I don't understand
about the difference between being a trusting member of the flock,
and an inquisitive reasoning explorer
where is the balance between heart and mind?
.
I couldn't remember if Jesus had been presented this way
in any of the other gospels,
so I searched the whole New Testament for the word "Shepherd"...
nope.
This parable is unique.
(There are a couple of other uses of the word shepherd,
like "He was moved with compassion toward them,
because they were like sheep without a shepherd",
but nothing like what I am finding here in chapter 10)
Its a comfort to hear the good news, isn't it?
Joh 10:11
I am the Good Shepherd.
The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
and
Joh 10:9
I am the door.
If anyone enters in by Me,
he shall be saved
and shall go in and out and find pasture.
and I'm assuming this one is for the gentiles like me:
Joh 10:16
And I have other sheep who are not of this fold.
I must also lead those,
and they shall hear My voice,
and there shall be one flock, one Shepherd.
and even better
Joh 10:27
My sheep hear My voice,
and I know them,
and they follow Me.
Joh 10:28
And I give to them eternal life,
and they shall never ever perish,
and not anyone shall pluck them out of My hand.
sounds cool.
there's a plan.
its out of my hands.
the future is in better hands than mine.
and WHAT A PROMISE, eh?
not anyone shall pluck them out of My hand.
ok, that's the easy part.
It would be So nice to just stop there.
To rest in the care of the Shepherd.
but He says something else that makes me wonder
Joh 10:4
And when he puts forth his own sheep,
he goes before them, and the sheep follow him.
For they know his voice.
Joh 10:5
And they will not follow a stranger,
but will flee from him,
for they do not know the voice of strangers.
well, hmmm
It seems to me that christians are always following strangers
and getting into trouble.
From the first century through today,
you can find one case after another
of people who thought they were on the right path
only to find they had been led astray.
So it sounds so easy to read that
"my sheep know my voice"
but with only about a second of reflection on that statement
you have to conclude that an awful lot of christians
weren't really his sheep after all?
that's scary.
How many are just fooling themselves,
or more accurately, are being fooled?
by a wolf?
Maybe for a few who are already in the fold,
the ones in the midst of the true flock,
those blessed to be hearing the shepherd's voice,
maybe for them,
all is bliss and peace.
and they will be led to pasture
but how to be sure?
Do we have to hear the voice with a critical ear?
Should we be a little skeptical?
Or be the trusting mindless sheep?
You know, when I was younger
I used to make fun of people who I thought were sheep.
I had a lot of disdain for people who don't think for themselves.
(hmmm... had? maybe I still do HAVE that feeling)
So I guess I have something to pray about.
I think there is something I don't understand
about the difference between being a trusting member of the flock,
and an inquisitive reasoning explorer
where is the balance between heart and mind?
.