Month: March 2021

‘I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.’ ^{John 10.16}

We probably don’t grasp how shocking this statement by Jesus was and within ourselves we may well not want to grasp its full meaning for ourselves now. Intellectually we may assent to it but history shows that Christians have constantly tried to modify its implications. It certainly runs against human nature and the church has repeatedly compromised over this basic tenet. Deep within human nature there is a desire to be considered more worthy than others and therefore have greater privileges and recognition. Deep in our heart we want our tribe (sheep in our sheep pen) to be superior and more rewarded than others. Of course, a modern day tribe does not have to be genetically a tribe, it can be determined by any self-created means. The church has ripped itself apart over the years creating sheep pens when they need not exist and refusing to accept other sheep pens called by God as equal in his sight to theirs.

Jesus’ original words were addressed to the Jews and the shocking fact was, he was saying there are other nations, not religions, that were also his to call into his kingdom. But worse in their eyes these fellow sheep of the same shepherd were really one flock, they not only belonged to him equally but they also belonged to each other. When the church in Galatia was trying to divide itself up into separate sheep folds, reflecting the status the world would apply, Paul comes crashing into their argument with instruction, ‘There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’ ^{Galatians 3.28}

How then may the church divide itself up into false sheep pens?

Division by social standing is something that does not reflect the truth that we are all sinners saved by grace and yet there have repeatedly been ways in which this worldly view has crept into the church. Consider how in time past in this and many countries seats in church have been allocated by standing in the world. I remember visiting a church where there were two toilets and a church membership of 200+, one toilet was for the minister and one for everybody else. What does the bible say about the creation of division by social standing?

‘My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place”, while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there”, or, “Sit down at my feet”, have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?’ ^{James 2.1-5}

The Jews were offended by Jesus because of their sense of superiority. However, Paul says, ‘Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.’ ^{Philippians 2.3}

As sheep in the shepherd’s flock we share the same hopes. The day we all look forward to is the same day when, ‘The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.”

And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.’ ^{Revelation22.17}

The modern Christian church is a truly global church as the Spirit has enabled Christians to obey Jesus’ command and take the gospel all over the world. The Spirit has not been bound by human opposition, it is now estimated that 1 million Chinese turn to Christ each year in a country where the government sets its face against all religion. The Bible Society has just had an appeal for money for paper to equip in China the largest bible printing factory in the world as Chinese Christians are desperate for their own copies. Sheep from another pen have been meeting that need. Barnabas Fund and other Christian Charities foster the connections between one sheep pen and another to meet the greatest needs of those belonging to “one fold” in a different pen. Go to https://barnabastoday.com/en/  to listen to the voices of those in the greatest need.The principle of meeting needs across nations and cultures was established by Paul in the early church when he gathered a collection to meet the needs of suffering Christians in Jerusalem. ^{1 Corinthians 16.1-4}

Finally, are we prepared to learn from sheep from another fold? A contemporary example of the great benefits of recognising the contribution of other Christians of different traditions bringing great blessing is the impact of John Wimber on Holy Trinity Brompton, the home of Alpha. John Wimber, a founding Pastor of Vineyard Churches, was an important figure in HTB leadership discovering the Spirit’s ministry in healing and evangelism. This has led to many thousands becoming Christians and a continuing ministry of church planting through Holy Trinity Brompton.

Do we praise God that his church in all its diversity is one church which hears the voice of Jesus?

Are we open to learn from other Christian Churches in different circumstances and lands?

Are we prepared to count others more significant than ourselves?

Above All [with lyrics] – Lenny LeBlanc

John 10.1-6

A sheep farming colleague once said to me that as she lay in bed and listened to the sheep in the field outside her window she could name sheep by the sound of their bleat. She then clarified she did not mean all 100+ but those who had been part of her flock for years and she knew intimately.  It is lovely to stand in our garden and watch the sheep in the field over our back fence call to their lambs, when they are that stage where they charge around together like infants in the playground. Then the mother sheep gets anxious, bleats and twin lambs break off and return to their mother often crossing the width of the field.

We also have the capacity to selectively hear those we love. Walking into a crowded room we can pick up the distinctive notes of those with whom we are intimate. Beyond the sound alone there is depth of intimacy of connection. I phoned one of my children this week, without rational reason, I just wanted to hear her voice. When I took a placement in Namibia, an adventure into the unknown, to me a strange and uncertain place deep in the bush, initially I felt very insecure and I had little contact with home. My wife phoned and I could not control my reaction to her voice, I cried.

Jesus tells one of his most well known stories of sheep in a sheep fold and a shepherd who enters the fold and leads his sheep. Jesus then says of the shepherd, ‘The sheep hear his voice, and he calls them his own sheep by name and leads them out. ^{John 10.3} John Chapter 10 has many complex interrelated things to say but early on there is this beautiful simplicity of each person’s relationship with Jesus described in the metaphor of a shepherd and sheep. Biblically there is a long history of the image of God and his people as shepherd and sheep. Here though it is not the nation as a whole but each separate sheep that knows his voice.

Knowing his voice is also knowing him. Knowing him is understanding his heart and character. Knowing him is learning from him and following his ways. Hosea says, ‘Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.’ ^{Hosea 6.3} Isaiah passes on God’s word, ‘Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast , sure love for David.’ ^{Isaiah 55.3} Listening to Jesus leads us into an everlasting contract with God and brings life in full abundance. ^{John 10.10}

Listening to Jesus’ voice brings faith and also guides us into right living. ‘So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.’ ^{Romans 10.17} ‘And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.’ ^{Isaiah 30.21}

It is good to practice hearing his voice. It takes time set aside but He will also speak in the hurly burly of life. Hebrews reminds us, ‘Therefore as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in rebellion”.’ ^{Hebrews 3.7}

What experiences have you had of hearing Jesus’ voice?

Do you follow Jesus’ practice of regularly spending time alone with God the Father to hear his voice?

Word Of God Speak – MercyMe

John 10.1-18

Jesus made many bold claims and John’s gospel is particularly noted for his “I am” statements. Chapter 10 connects two of these: ‘I am the door of the sheep,” ^John 10.7,9 and ‘I am the good shepherd’. ^{John 10.11,14} Jesus mixes metaphors whilst telling and then explaining his parable. The sheepfold represents God’s people or the kingdom of God. The thieves and robbers who climb in over the sheepfold wall are the multitude of false “messiahs” that abounded before and during the first Century but it also included the Pharisees who belittle or expel genuine seekers after God’s kingdom such as the healed man in the previous chapter. False messiahs or prophetic figures still persist and so the parable remains highly relevant today. A false messiah does not have to be an individual it can equally be a philosophy that provides false hope and promises. Jesus provides us in this parable a way of discriminating between them and the kingdom of God.

Being in the kingdom of God is about belonging to him, the good shepherd. He twice asserts that special relationship. ‘The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.’ ^v3 and ‘I am the good shepherd. I know my own my own and my own know me’. ^v14 Being in the kingdom of God is about being in relationship with Jesus. It is not just about belonging to a wider group, each member is in individual relationship with him. They are individually known and named, he calls them by name. Each person is known, counted, named, sought after, cared for and loved.  His sheep follow him because they know his voice. If they do not know his voice then they are not part of the flock. Beyond that a characteristic of being in the kingdom of God is the rejection of false messiahs, teachers or prophets. Jesus says his own will not follow them but will in fact flee from them. How does this impact our lives today? What are the influences on our lives, our choices, the people we listen to? Are these people who guide us in the direction of Christ and lives set apart for him? Are these spiritually healthy people?

Jesus in the same teaching mixes metaphors and says he is not only the shepherd, he is the door ^vv2,7 and the gatekeeper. ^v3,9 The only way in to the kingdom of God is through him and by him. Jesus accompanies this with a promise, ‘If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture’. ^v9 When considering a promise and weighing it against other promises we should consider who the promise maker is. Jesus’ promises are made by the eternal God who has demonstrated his love for us through his preparedness to go through death for us. Jesus was not only prepared to lay down his life and then take it up again for us but he was actually capable of doing it. There is no price he was not prepared to pay for our sake and that differentiates him from all other false promisers. ‘For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again’. ^vv17,18

Jesus once again warns about false messiahs, describing them as those who will not be prepared to pay the ultimate price for the sake of the kingdom of God. ^v12 The underlying security for the followers of Jesus is the bond between him and God the Father. Jesus is fulfilling the Father’s will because of their mutual love. ‘For this reason the Father loves me’ ^v17 … ‘This charge I have received from my Father’. ^v18

Followers of Jesus then should take great comfort and confidence from Jesus’ promise. We should be careful to listen to his voice through his word for our guidance. We should flee from false prophets and ultimately the test of falseness is whether they are directing us towards Jesus alone. Our trust is to be personal and this is why Christians speak of a personal relationship with God. No other faith conveys such an intimacy of relationship. Jesus speaks in this passage about a spiritual life that is totally fulfilling not just in terms of stretching into eternity but in it being as the ESV translates, abundant. ^v10 In pictorial terms Jesus describes it as saved sheep going in and out finding pasture. ^v9

How has this passage challenged us about who we listen to?

Do we ask the Holy Spirit to continue to build our confidence in the promises of Jesus?

Shepherd of my soul

Ezekiel 34 & John 10

Those who have followed the Bible Society’s Bible Course will be used to the idea of reading the bible with the questions What and Now What in their minds. ‘What,’ concentrates on what did it mean to the people at the time, and ‘Now What’, considers contemporary applications. When Jesus spoke about being the Good Shepherd ^{John 10.14} and tells the story about the good and bad shepherds, the sheepfold, the door and the gatekeeper he did so in the full knowledge of Ezekiel’s prophesy in Ezekiel 34 applying it to the Jewish Leaders and himself. This passage comes after several accounts of the accusations and plots of Jewish Leaders to discredit and kill Jesus and their refusal to see the miracles that Jesus performed as well as his teaching as acts of God. Knowing Ezekiel’s prophesy helps us answer the question, what did Jesus’ teaching mean to the people who heard him at the time?

The Lord commanded Ezekiel to prophesy against the, ‘shepherds of Israel’, saying, ‘Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not the shepherds take care of the flock?’ ^{Ezekiel 34.2} The shepherds were the country’s rulers. The rulers were accused of ruling for their own benefit and oppressing their own people and so the people without direction became aimless and uncared for. ‘My sheep wander over all the mountains and on every hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.’ ^{Ezekiel 34.6}  The Lord therefore makes this promise. ‘I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them’ … ‘I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep.’ ^{Ezekiel 34.10-12} Ezekiel then expands on that basic theme in more detail.

Jesus was being very clear to the Jewish leaders and the crowds, saying I am the good shepherd and you Jewish Leaders, are the bad shepherds, the thieves and robbers who try to gain entry into the kingdom of God by devious routes, but there is only one way and that is through me. The evidence was before them and the question was could they see it? It caused consternation, misunderstanding, questioning and abuse. Eventually by the end of the chapter they were once again trying to stone Jesus.

Does it surprise us today if leaders lead for their own gain at the expense of the people they lead, even in the church? Does it surprise us if when Jesus’ teachings are spelt out they cause offence. Does it also surprise us if an accurate picture of Jesus is presented it may attract personal attack from religious and secular leaders?

Above All – Lenny LeBlanc

John 9.4-5

How do you feel about your life each day? When you get up in the morning and mentally check your day, what are your priorities? I cannot reasonably attempt to guess how you would answer that. What if we asked Jesus the same question? John 9.4 gives us a very clear indication as to his answer. ‘As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me.’

Jesus had a very clear view –  his day was to be filled with fulfilling God the Father’s will. Jesus the man had very limited time, each day was to be maximized. Whether it was teaching or healing, coaching disciples or challenging enemies all was done in accord with God the Father’s will. He was to be the light of the world and the purpose was to reveal God and his purposes to the world. Night was coming when work could no longer be done. That night started with his death on the cross. ^{John 9.4b} Even his death was light to the world.

As he faced his death while in prayer in Gethsemane he was overwhelmed with dread and no wonder, he was about to absorb the wrath of God for the sin of all mankind. He was certainly dreading death by crucifixion, no person would not, but it was God’s righteous wrath that was to be dreaded even more. This was his prayer, ‘`Yet not as I will, but as you will.’ ^{Mathew 26.39}

As Jesus is the light of the world and now in glory, so it his disciple’s role to direct the gaze of others to the light of the world. When Jesus first declared himself the light of the world ^{John 8.12} he added, ‘Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Therefore, the way to point others to the light of the world is to walk in the light of life oneself.

After Jesus made the statement he promptly healed the blind man bringing light into his life. The healing was a living parable. This was the ‘work’ that we must be engaged in. ‘We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. ^{John 9.4} Josh Moody puts it like this, “This is the one thing that we can do now that we cannot do in the new heaven and new earth – the work of witnessing to Christ as the light of the world.” (John 1 to 12 for you.)

Jesus came into the world, ‘that those who do not see may see’. ^{John 9.39} The blind man became one of those physically and spiritually. Jesus sought him out following his rejection by the Jewish leaders and asked him if he believed in the Son of Man. ^{John 9.35} The man asked him who the Son of Man was and Jesus replied it was him. The man then said, ‘Lord, I believe, and he worshipped him.’ ^John38 Those moments are ones of great rejoicing and we should pray that we are a witness to many.

How can we live our life so that it is a witness to the light of the world?

Light of the World – (This was not the song of the blind man but it could have been.)