Monday, January 14, 2013

The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Monday, January 14, 2013                   I Am the Good Shepherd

Page 163-164         John 10:1-21

Victor Hugo’s classic book Les Miserables, tells the story of Jean Valjean whose life was redeemed through the self-sacrificial love of the priest Bienvenue. Hugo developed the character Bienvenue so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in Bienvenue’s mortal flesh. (2 Corinthians 4:11b NRSV) In this way, Bienvenue became a model by which the priests of Hugo’s generation could measure their lives. The Bible uses this same literary technique.

Ezekiel 34 uses the metaphor of a shepherd and his flock for the King and his people. Unlike royalty in secular societies that were set apart from their constituents, the shepherd was in close personal contact with his flock. He knew his sheep and they knew their shepherd. When Jesus used this metaphor in his parable (John 10:1-6), the people didn’t understand, because in their generation the rulers were dictatorial tyrants. Little has changed over the two millenniums since Jesus spoke this parable. Religious and secular leaders alike abuse their power and authority and tend to live lives separate and apart from those they govern. But Jesus pressed on to make sure we could understand the nature of God’s sovereign rule over our lives. Jesus gives us the most compelling and enduring metaphor for God’s authority and love for His people: “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11a).

Jesus gives us his promise, that as the good shepherd, he has come that we may have a rich and satisfying life. Jesus assures us that he knows our name. Jesus assures us that we can learn to know his voice; we can learn to distinguish his voice from all the noise of life.

Jesus, our Messiah, is different from every king that has ever lived. Our King is more interested in our lives than his own. Why would I want to follow any other voice?

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

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The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ

(Seed Sowers Christian Book Publishing House. http://www.seedsowers.com/)

Tuesday, January 15, 2013        The Jewish Leaders Tried to Kill Me   

Page 164-165         John 10:22-42