Friday prior to Easter 4

 

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[1]Image of The Good Shepherd copyright © Google Images

John 10:22–30—The message of the Bible is not hard to comprehend: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world to redeem sinners by His perfect life, His suffering, death, and resurrection. Yet, many do not believe. They reject the words and deeds of Jesus because of the hardness of their hearts, just as many people rejected Him when He walked the earth 2,000 years ago, despite seeing His works and hearing His teaching. But the members of His Church, His flock, hear the voice of their shepherd, and He gives them eternal life.

Jesus – The Divine Shepherd

Jesus is in Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication and is challenged by those hostile who were continually trying to undo him every time he came into the city. Notice the sarcasm of their first question, “How long will you keep us in suspense?” Jesus explains that He has told them who He is and that those who will become believers have heard him. He then indicates that He and the Father are one, a statement that would have annoyed the very people who were trying to annoy Jesus.

You are precious because of what Jesus has invested in you and continues to invest. Like sheep we can escape His loving arms and bolt to disease, cliff, poison, wolves and death. Or we bask and live with him now and forever.  

Prayer for comfort to the dying: O Lord, our Shepherd, lead Your sheep in goodness and mercy as we pass with You through the valley of the shadow of death to Your eternal home, where You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. - .[2]

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[2] Collect for comfort to the dying, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis  06 May, 2022