12/27/16
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
In John 10:14-16 Jesus identifies himself as the one who knows his own things. He is the one who created all things and knows them intimately. He knows creation in the same way that God the Father and God the Son know one another. Jesus elaborates on this idea briefly by saying that he lays down his life for the sheep. He knows the needs of his people in such detail that he will take care of all their eternal concerns.
What is this about having “different sheepfolds” or “different flocks”? It seems very unlikely to suggest that Jesus works in other galaxies or other planets, as some would say. It is more straightforward to expect that Jesus is underlining his care for the whole world, not just the Jews who live in Palestine. As the Savior of the world, Jesus is the one who can bring believers from all walks of life, all nations, all times, together into one. This he does in the Church.
Jesus, the shepherd of his people, the Church, gathers us in one. He knows what we need and he takes care of it.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
In John 10:14-16 Jesus identifies himself as the one who knows his own things. He is the one who created all things and knows them intimately. He knows creation in the same way that God the Father and God the Son know one another. Jesus elaborates on this idea briefly by saying that he lays down his life for the sheep. He knows the needs of his people in such detail that he will take care of all their eternal concerns.
What is this about having “different sheepfolds” or “different flocks”? It seems very unlikely to suggest that Jesus works in other galaxies or other planets, as some would say. It is more straightforward to expect that Jesus is underlining his care for the whole world, not just the Jews who live in Palestine. As the Savior of the world, Jesus is the one who can bring believers from all walks of life, all nations, all times, together into one. This he does in the Church.
Jesus, the shepherd of his people, the Church, gathers us in one. He knows what we need and he takes care of it.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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