Sunday 13 April 2008
- Bible Book:
- John
"The sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out...He goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice... I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture". (v.3b, 4, 9)
Background
The style of shepherding in biblical times was very differentfrom today. No sheepdogs and their clever, intuitive response tothe shepherd's prompting, no quad bikes or vehicles, no vast flocksgrazing over extensive areas.
We read elsewhere in the Bible about a shepherd having one hundredsheep (Luke15:4). The shepherd had an intimate knowledge of his flock andwas expected to put his life on the line for them. He led them fromthe front rather than driving them from behind.
In today's passage, John reports one of Jesus' great "I am" sayings- "I am the gate". We don't often praise Jesus as a gate! But it'sa protecting image of one who controls those who enter and leave.It is an image of one who knows the dangers and who is himself theway into the safety of the community.
He is there so that those who enter may have abundant life.
To Ponder
When were the times when you found it difficultto follow where Jesus was leading you? How about the times when itwas easy?
In what ways do you trust the one who is preparedto lay down his life so that you can be saved?
Can you imagine yourself as a sheep out there inthe wilderness, putting all your trust in your shepherd despite allthe lurking dangers? How does that feel?