Word to the Wise
Tuesday, May 9, 2017 - 4th Week of Easter - Tues
[Acts 11:19-26 and John 10:22-30]TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2017 TUESDAY IN THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER [Acts 11:19-26 and John 10:22-30] "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than al, and no one can take them out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one." [John] There is an expression we use in conversation when we are recounting a story or giving an explanation to clarify something". "You can see where this is going!" Once Jesus' argument gets to a certain point here, the adversaries begin to pick up stones! The last line is a sure recipe for trouble: "The Father and I are one." We may say, "Of course," but we have all the rest of the New Testament and the 2000+ years of tradition of the Christian community to work with. In Jesus' day, that statement would have seemed blasphemous! What I find most comforting are the words, "No one can take them out of my hand." If we believe that Jesus is the one whom God has sent, that means we are hearing his "voice," and we belong to him and he is giving us eternal life. What we may forget is that it is in the nature of sheep to wander without realizing the separation. The Shepherd will come looking for us and we hope it won't be too late! God's care and providence are "greater than all," but we must not get out of range from the Shepherd's voice! AMEN
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