Nice to find friends from my past who like me eventually came to Christ:
Here we are once again, apart intentionally for the health and well-being of others, still worshipping as believers in the risen Lord, for our faith in Christ cannot be quarantined, only our physical presence can be cordoned off.
This week, a colleague of mine at Geneva College, shared the image of the sheep tumbling down the hill. The timing of the image fits perfectly with the lessons for this week, which speak of the Good Shepherd.
As we read through Acts 6&7, Psalm 23, 1 Peter 2, and John 10, the question arises for us, who are we following? Who were we following before this current crisis? Were we following "too much the devices and desires of our own hearts" as we say in Morning Prayer? Were we following the sheep in front of us or beside us? Were we following our leaders, but only when it suited us? Was Christ in the mix? Who are we following now?
In crises past, present, and future, Christ Jesus was, is, and will be the Good Shepherd for his sheep. Jesus has the gate open for all of his sheep. He goes ahead of us to secure our path. He has promised that he is with us always and that he will never forsake us which is a great comfort for sheepish people in these uncertain times.
To reaffirm Psalm 23, the Lord is my Shepherd; he leads me, he restores me, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Will you join me and listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd as he calls us by name?
The Fourth Sunday of Easter
O God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd of your people: Grant that, when we hear his voice, we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
