Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 21, 2024

Date:   4th Sunday of Easter

Scripture Text:  John 10:11-18

Jesus said:

"I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These, also, I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today is Jesus’ “Good Shepherd Discourse” to the crowds and disciples as recounted in the Gospel of John. Jesus identifies Himself as “the good shepherd” who knows his sheep and whose sheep know him, as the one who will lay down his life for the sheep. At the time, the listeners did not realize that Jesus was not speaking metaphorically, but rather He was telling them in advance of his selfless sacrifice of His life for theirs. Jesus tells the listeners that this sacrifice for them is the will of the Father who sent Him, and the Father has given Him the power to lay down His life and the power to take it up again. It would not be until post resurrection that the listeners that day would comprehend the truth of Jesus’ words that day.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I recognize Jesus’ voice? Do I believe that He hears my voice and prayer? Do I trust that Jesus is there for me?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your only begotten Son to us, not only to reveal yourself and your love for us but to give His very life so that we might have life. Send your Spirit to stir within us the recognition of your great love as well as the love of your Son who came to save us through his selfless sacrifice upon the cross of Calvary. Grant that your transformative love and that of your Son will tenderize our hearts and minds so that we will grasp more perfectly who we are created to be as your daughters and sons and called to be as Christ’s disciples. We ask this in the name of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.