Today’s Reading: John 10:1-21
“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” — John 10:1-5
It might seem to us like a random analogy, but it was the Festival of Dedication (Hanukkah) and it made sense to the people who were listening. This day commemorated the rededication of the Temple after it had been defiled by Antiochus IV. At this Festival, the priests would do some self-examination, considering their own commitment or dedication to the ministry to which they had been called. They would reflect on Ezekiel 34, when the Lord was upset with the “shepherds” — the leaders of Israel. He accused them of abandoning the flock and taking care of themselves first, leaving the sheep to starve. He had appointed them to watch over his people, but they had been unfaithful and He would have to do it Himself.
God said, “I myself will search and find my sheep…I will find my sheep and rescue them…I will bring them back home…I will feed them…I will give them good pastureland…I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace…I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak…You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my people, and I am your God. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” – Ezekiel 34:11-16,31
HOW WELL AM I WATCHING OVER THE SHEEP IN MY CARE?
Am I putting forth my best effort in helping those around me on their journey of grace? Am I concerned about the spiritually starving; am I pursuing the hearts of those who are wandering away? Have I become self-focused rather than keeping my eyes on the flock? Am I feasting on God’s provision without sharing the abundance of God with others? Today is a time of rededication — a time to examine my service to God.
“I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.” — John 10:6-13
Often we read this passage and see ourselves as the sheep, but we have much to gain by putting ourselves in the role of the hired hand. We have been given responsibility over others by the Good Shepherd himself. Some of us are even blessed to be employed and receive compensation for our time, but we must be careful not to let it become only a job instead of working intently to please the Shepherd. We cannot run when things get tough. We must listen to the voice of the Shepherd. We must see ourselves as also being under His care. We must care about the sheep; we must pay attention to those who are wandering away or lost.
HOW WELL ARE YOU WATCHING OVER THE SHEEP IN YOUR CARE?
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.” – Matthew 18:12-14
As we begin a season of reflection and remembrance of all that Jesus did for us, let’s be intentional to allow God to do a new thing in our hearts. Just as revival is breaking out across our nation, let us seek the Lord and ask for a renewal of our hearts during this season of Lent. May these 40 days of Lent be more than a ceremonial tradition; may it bring the hearts of God’s children together in unison as we anticipate what our resurrected Lord is about to do.
God, strengthen our call this morning. Give us a fresh desire to serve you by serving others. Open our hearts to the revival that is sweeping across our nation, and do a new work in our lives. Lord, I am listening for your voice — a voice I know so well because you are my Shepherd. What do you want me to do with this day you have given me? Help me to see all of your sheep through your eyes. May I never abandon this responsibility that you have given me; may none go hungry while in my care. Amen.