A Spiritual Re-Awakening…? Day 20 -Lenten Readings & Reflections through John’s Gospel

Day 20 (Thursday, March 28, 2019)

Read

John 10:16-18, 27-30

16 “…I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father…”

27 My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”

Reflect

We often forget that Jesus’ first followers were ordinary people from Galilee. They were not well known, highly educated or widely respected. They were no one in particular. Yet Jesus, the celebrity teacher or rabbi who was commanding everyone’s attention through his extraordinary miracles and powerful, controversial teaching, had invited them into his team. In turn, he had awakened in them increasing respect, awe and ultimately, devotion. They came to see him not just as a prophet, but as more than a prophet. They saw that he was the good shepherd, God in human form. We have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth, John testified (1:14).

Jesus took his first followers into his confidence, taught them, and gave them the privilege of being his emissaries to the world. For Jesus has a big mission: to reach the world. And from the first he intended to involve his people in this task. His plan is a reflection of the nature of the relationship he has with God the Father and a relationship he wants us to enjoy and participate in. He did everything necessary to lay the foundation for this work. He announced who he was and what he had come to do; he gave plenty of evidence (signs) that he was who he said he was; he even laid down his life so that he could give them eternal life (10:28).

In John 20 and 21 we will see that Jesus commissioned his first followers (the Twelve) to introduce people from all races and nations to him as the one true Lord and God, to know and love him as the true shepherd, the giver of eternal life.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, at your first coming you sent your messenger to prepare the way before you: grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise make ready your way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the ways of the righteous, so that at your second coming to judge the world, we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, Advent 3)

Daily Reading Plan

Read John 10:22-42