May 14,
2000
John 10:11-18 (CEV)
I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life
for his sheep. Hired workers are not like the shepherd. They don't
own the sheep, and when they see a wolf coming, they run off and
leave the sheep. Then the wolf attacks and scatters the flock.
Hired workers run away because they don't care about the sheep.
I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and they know me. Just
as the Father knows me, I know the Father, and I give up my life
for my sheep. I have other sheep that are not in this sheep pen.
I must bring them together too, when they hear my voice. Then
there will be one flock of sheep and one shepherd.
The Father loves me, because I give up my life, so that I may
receive it back again. No one takes my life from me. I give it
up willingly! I have the power to give it up and the power to
receive it back again, just as my Father commanded me to do.
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1.
Since Easter we have heard two touching-stories about Jesus coming
to the disciples. There was the Thomas incident and the eating
after the disciples heard from the women and didn't believe them
and the two from Emmaus and they didn't know what to make of that,
either.
2.
Now we hear about other sheep than the disciples. Might that still
be the case -- that there are others coming to join a new community
of sheep/servants-to-one-another? Are you one who will be joined,
whether you like it or not? Are you one who will join, whether
you like it or not?
3.
Either way, there is a new reality to be dealt with -- the shape
of the pen is changing with every sheep. May Easter help you deal
with the changes which are happening all around you so you don't
get blinded by the pens of the past and forget to welcome or forget
to try again.