John 10:11-18 (NRSV)
Read John 10:11-18 on biblegateway.com
Verse 11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Verse 12The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. Verse 13The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. Verse 14I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, Verse 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. Verse 16I 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. Verse 17For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. Verse 18No 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."
Devotion
Who is listening? Who is in charge? In our reading today for the Fourth Sunday of Easter we might well remember the blind man kicked out of the synagogue for persisting to tell all who would listen how he was healed by Jesus (John 9). When the unbelieving Pharisees ask Jesus, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” Jesus confirms their sin, and now goes on to proclaim that he is the gate for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
He will tell everyone who will listen, the healed blind man, the Pharisees—even us–that he is the good shepherd who will love them, protect them, even lay down his life for them on the cross. What a shepherd, what a Savior, what a relief and joy for each of us in our celebration of an abundant life now and eternal life with Christ.
Prayer
To you, Oh Lord, we give thanks and praise as you shepherd us. May this peace and comfort in your arms surround us and grant us power in the resurrection life. Amen.
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