Hi
So yesterday we talked about following God’s lead, and noted some of the threats to that desire to obey. We continue to think about ourselves as listeners in today’s Holy Nougat
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”John 10:27 NLT
I’ve said it before, and will say it again – this nougat Always invites serious self-assessment. And while I am not as anxiety laden, I believe that this is a new opportunity for assessing my life.
When preparing this nougat for eating, I double checked the source. Although it is located in the ‘Good Shepherd’ conversation, it is part of an extended conversation with – you guesses it – the religious teachers and leaders of His day. And like many of the conversations with us who know all things spiritual’, the burden of proof re-entered the conversation. The religious leadership needed the assurance that Jesus was Who others say He is. (Sounds familiar – especially with the way life is turning these days? Yup, we do have moments where we question the very existence of God.)
In stating that as sheep, there would have been no doubt about His identity, Jesus takes the matter to a head. It is about the nature of our relationship. A shepherd spends much of her/his time outdoors with the sheep, and in modern contexts, some forfeit having families as the grazing areas can be very remote. With that, the shepherd (and sheep dogs) is the main contact of sheep aside from predators. One realizes that the sheep (not the lambs) in a particular flock would be attuned to the Shepherd’s voice. It was the source for soothing, protection and nourishment.
If that is the way of real sheep with its shepherd, how much more so would that apply to us? Furthermore, the religious leaders would have known the Shepherd’s Psalm quite well. They understood what the statement meant. If the Lord is Shepherd, and Jesus indicated that His sheep knew His Voice and obeyed Him; then without actually saying so, Jesus had answered their question. And, to add insult to injury, He also indicated that the Shepherd KNEW the sheep in the flock! Was that not a put down?
But enough of the religious leaders back then. Are we matured enough in the faith to recognize and obey God’s Voice unhesitatingly? Do we recognize Our Good Shepherd as Soother, Protector and Bread of Life? Can we honestly say ‘The Lord is My Shepherd, I Have ALL I Need’ without adding a caveat or two? If we’re challenged by any of those questions, maybe it’s time to relearn how to be sheep. Good morning.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
