John 21:15-17 - Jesus Restores Peter

John 21:15-17

15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep."

Message: Jesus Restores Peter

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: As Jesus was being interrogated by Jewish and Romans officials prior to being crucified, Peter had an opportunity to show that He was a believer in Christ and yet in that instance denied Jesus three times. It was Peter that Jesus had proclaimed a prediction and plan to build his church - Matthew 16:18. Peter was involved in Jesus walking on the water. He had a boldness about him, but he also seems to have struggled in his complete devotion. Thomas was recorded earlier also about one that needed to see to believe. It is interesting in these few stories of Jesus following His resurrection that we see encounters with Jesus that were not always perfect encounters with perfect believers in Christ but those that experienced honest ideas and reflections. 

In this instance, after Peter dying Jesus three times, Jesus asks Peter three times to tend his sheep. A denial of Jesus does not disqualify one from ministry. Once Jesus has chosen someone that person is sealed. And that person will be a vessel God uses, despite the imperfections. This is a comfort to me. God uses all kinds of people and situations and all types of imperfections. Peter was teachable and one that wanted to be used and wanted to be a vessel. This is what is important. Not that he got all the answers to every question right every time. I really appreciate this. I think in the church and in many circles, some sort of perfection of understanding is expected of people. We are on a journey and trying to figure things out and it is harsh I think to have such high expectations, especially in our world that has so many different flavors. Even there are many different flavors of those that hold to this book, without adding additional texts. 

Thus, this passage speaks to Peter being restored. After denying Jesus 3 times, Jesus is asked three times whether he loved Jesus "more than these." Jesus is restored because his love is real. 

"Jesus gave Peter the duty of shepherding His people, of teaching them the truth that feeds their souls." In the previous encounter of Peter's denial, he denied being a follower of Jesus. Conversely, what restores him is not a direct question of following Jesus but rather obedience to Jesus. I am not simply one that follows God, but I show my true colors by being obedient to Him. 

Summary: After earlier Peter denying Jesus three times, to be restored to his place among the disciples, he confessed three times that he would care for Christ's followers. 

Promise: I am to feed people the Word of God. 

Prayer: O Lord, you are Savior and You are God. You are one I will follow, but also the One that I want to obey and do what you ask. There is fullness and completeness in this. I want to be a person that is a doer of the Word. Give me this strength each day. Thank you for bringing someone into my life that I can speak with. Give me opportunities to speak to others your truths. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 10:22-29 - Safe in the Hand of God

John 10:22-29

22 At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; 23 it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon. 24 The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. 26 But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Message: Safe in the Hand of God

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: From the previous passage there was a division among those Jews listening to Jesus with many thinking that Jesus had a demon in Him. Why? Because of what He was proclaiming. That He lays down His life for His sheep (v.11). That the Father knows Him (v. 15) and that in Himself people will be saved (v. 9). And that beyond Israel, he adds the Gentiles as well to the fold of belonging to Him (v. 16). And He will die and be resurrected (v. 17). All this is based upon His authority (v. 18). 

Jesus had entered Jerusalem in chapter 7 following the request of his brother though he did it in His own way. That time was the Feast of the Booths in September/October time frame. Now it is the time of the Feast of Dedication taking place in Jerusalem (v. 22). 

The Feast of Dedication was also called the Feast of Maccabees and now is called Hanukkah or the Festival of Lights. The Maccabees successfully revolted against Antiochus IV Epiphanes (ruled the Seleucid Empire (encompass modern-day Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon) from 175 BC until his death in 164 BC). The Maccabean revolt occurred from 167 BC to 160 BC. The Seleucids were trying to take control of Judea. Jewish practices were banned, Jerusalem was placed under direct Seleucid control, and the Second Temple in Jerusalem was made the site of a syncretic Pagan-Jewish cult. According to the Talmud, the Temple was purified and the wicks of the menorah miraculously burned for eight days, even though there was only enough sacred oil for one day's lighting. Thus, this is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple. 

Jesus is walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. This portico is said to have been on the east side of the Temple, and to have been a relic of the original building of Solomon which had survived all destructions and restorations. And the Jews that have probably been a part of the division (v. 19) encircle him and question Him as to who He really is. Some have said he was a demon (v. 20) but others didn't think He could be demon possessed (v. 21). They want to know if He is the Christ. 

The question is rather preposterous. Jesus continues to state clearly He is from the Father and He is the Son of God. While Jesus does not say "I am the Christ" He has been speaking of who He is and that He is the Son of God. 

John 5:19 - Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner."

John 7:37 - Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink."

John 7:38 - “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

John 8:12 - Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

John 8:36 - “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."

John 8:56 - "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”

John 10:1 - “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber." 

Matthew Poole (1624–1679) in his commentary states, "I have in effect told it you more than once; I have told you that I am sent of the Father, &c., I have said enough for you to conclude it; but you will not understand, you will not receive it, you will not believe what I say. What need you any further witness of it, than those works which I do by Divine power; by virtue of my oneness with my Father, and of that power and authority which he hath committed to me, that by them I might confirm the doctrine which I have taught you?"

This is a sobering reality for many. And a sobering reality for those that know the truth that the reality is many will not conclude the same. Some people are stuck in their ways. Like the man we spoke to at the mall two weeks ago who really would not listen or consider any words that we might say. He was a man that was stuck. And no amount of revelation or words from us was going to change that. 

Jesus points out - you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. The sheep hear his voice and know his voice (vs. 3-4). But these are not His sheep. They don't hear. They may hear words from a mouth, but they don't hear in the sense of understanding and accepting. 

For those that hear and know His voice Jesus confirms their present and future -- My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Sheep have a different path - following Jesus. Receiving eternal life, never perishing. Safe in the Hand of God....always. 

This reminds me that once we are declared safe by Him and perhaps Jesus is the only one that really know who has been declared safe, but for those that are safe they will never be unsafe. They will never be lost. 

Summary: Jews encircle Jesus at the time of Hanukkah and want to know if He is the Christ. Jesus has already repeatedly told who He is. They are not His sheep and cannot hear Him. 

Promise: RC Sproul writes, "We are secure, not because we hold tightly to Jesus, but because He holds tightly to us.”

Prayer: Lord, I am thankful that I can hear you and that I know Your voice. It is a sobering reality Lord that others cannot hear. And yet Lord, you still want me to be a voice to people. You still want me to share. You want me to have the conversations and communicate and find Your sheep. Help me to be faithful in this. I need this. This is not a burden but something I need to do continually. For my own sake in who you have called me to be, I need to speak the truth of You to others. Thank you for the richness of Your word and the clarity of it and the history of You saving your people. This can be seen in Hanukkah that you have always been a God who saves their people, no matter what is going on in the world and who has governmental power, you are always present and near. I praise You God for this. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 10:11-16 - The Shepherd Who Knows His Sheep

John 10:11-16

11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd."

Message: The Shepherd Who Knows His Sheep

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus provides further clarity to what He said, recorded in the first 6 verses of Chapter 10. In verse 7, He says He is the door of the Sheep. And in verse 11 He says, "I am the good shepherd." Toward the sheep, Jesus says He lays down His life for the sheep (v. 11). He says he lays down His life for the sheep (v. 15) and he knows His sheep and His sheep know Him (v. 14). There is intimacy here. There is a close relationship. God is sovereign and in control. He is mighty, but, as a reminder, on this Christmas day, God sent His son as a baby into this world, small and innocent. He lived as we live, tempted as we are. And He knows us. There is nothing greater than to be known by God. 

Jesus lays down His life for His sheep. He dies for us. Jesus atones for His sheep. Jesus dies on the cross but His death was not for all because all would not be saved, instead He lays down His Life for the sheep. Jesus mentions in verse 26 that "you do not believe because you are not of My sheep." So not all are His sheep. 

Verse 16 speaks of "other sheep...not of this fold." Verse 1 of chapter 10 mentions the fold of the sheep. In these verses and in his conversation in chapter 9, He is speaking to the Pharisees, the Jews of the day (v. 19). But in verse 16 He remarks that beyond the fold of the Jewish people and those He has chosen of the flock, there are other sheep, there are other sheep that will hear His voice and they with the other folds will become one flock with one shepherd. 

As such verse 16 is a prophetic word by Jesus. The Gentiles will be a part of His kingdom but they are not yet. He is speaking here again to the Jews, the Pharisees but later all people from all nations will be a part of His fold - one flock with one shepherd. I remember again chapter 9, verse 39 that Jesus comes into this world for judgment and there will be a separation - some will see, some will be blind, but He comes into the world for all. For God loves the World. 

Summary: Jesus is the good shepherd, laying down His life for His sheep, those of the fold of Israel and other sheep (Gentiles), not of this fold are prophesied. 

Promise: John Calvin comments on John 10:16, “We are already God’s sheep, before we are aware that He is our shepherd.”

Prayer: Lord, you are Holy. Your ways are perfect. Thank you for grafting me in, all Gentiles in and calling Israel as well to your flock. You are our Shepherd and we are one Flock. Thank you for seeing the need all people have for You, in all nations, in all manners of life. Let us be a people that continually honors You and gives glory to Your name. Draw my family to You o god. Make yourself real to them always. Awaken them by Your Spirit to an understanding of You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 10:1-10 - The Door of the Sheepfold

John 10:1-10

1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them.

7 So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Message: The Door of the Sheepfold

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: As I read this passage, I think about the last lesson from Jesus that I really enjoyed. Jesus comes into the world so that people will make a decision about Him - some will follow, some will not. Everyone will be divided into those two realms. 9:39 mentions (1) those who do not see may see and (2) those who see may become blind. The seeing and the not seeing seem to represent those that will be open to Jesus, discovering who He is, and moving into a relationship with Him. Those who are blind already have their mind made up on what they see and what they see is not Jesus necessarily. They are hardened. 

That is a great lesson for me. It speaks of the reality of our world. And also makes me wonder as we share the Gospel, and figuring out our audience and where they are at in that relationship. I listened to our missionary that serves in Lisbon today state that it takes 3 years for a seeker in this post-modern world to come to Christ. They have to see people and watch them for a while before they will make that decision to follow Christ. This doesn't mean we are not to evangelize and share our faith, but we need to realize that for many people it won't be a quick process, like maybe it was in the 80s. 

Now, in chapter 10, we have a story that Jesus tells that many will call an allegory. Jesus speaks of a door. The door is an entryway or a port in which people will walk into. A door is a place to transition from one world to another. I think of the CS Lewis series, Chronicles of Narnia, that mentioned at many times this transition from one world to the next. And so Jesus begins with this idea of coming through a door. But he first starts with those that don't enter by the door, those that don't go past the door to be with the fold of other sheep. Fold here is speaking of a group or community of other sheep. Rather than going through the door, they are trying a different way. Those that go about in a different way are thieves and robbers. 

In this story, not just anyone can enter through the door. The door is reserved for the shepherd to come through. And at the other side of the door is the sheep, the lost. Jesus also mentions the doorkeeper which must be the Father as Jesus has been charged by the Father. It seems the sheep are trying to get out. The door opens, the shepherd speaks and calls the sheep to come out (verse 3). After calling "his own" (verse 4), which doesn't mean calling all but only his own, the shepherd walks ahead of them and the sheep follow him. His voice being the one they know. The sheep know the voice of the shepherd. And verse 5 mentions strangers. The sheep are not following a stranger but someone they know. 

The disciples response to Jesus telling this story is one of question. They don't understand. So Jesus offers the explanation. Jesus says I am the door. Those before Him were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. Enter through Me and be saved. Thieves come to steal and kill and destroy but Jesus comes to give abundant life. 

Tabletalk mentions the context of this passage: Raising sheep in first-century Palestine: Individual flocks were led by particular shepherds during the day, but in the evening, various flocks would be gathered into one large, walled sheepfold for safety. The sheep would intermingle during the night, but when the shepherds returned the next day to retrieve their sheep, it was easy for each shepherd to find his flock. Each shepherd uttered his call, and only the sheep that belonged to him would come.

Reading this changes my understanding of the passage. The sheep have only a shepherd but others will try to get to the sheep, thieves and robbers or false prophets. Jesus is the only source of eternal hope and security. Only Jesus is the gateway to eternal life. 

Summary: Jesus provides an allegory of sheep that hear the voice of the shepherd and follow Him while strangers try to get to the sheep. 

Promise: All of us must be alert and watch out for false teaching and false teachers who may try to infiltrate our churches.

Prayer: Thank you God for the message of the sheep and You being the door, the good shepherd that we follow. Thank you for Your Holy Spirit guiding us into truth and helping us navigate our way. As those thieves and strangers come, give us the grounding in your word to withstand those and instead help us keep our eyes on you the Shepherd. Thank you for this truth and providing us abundant life. Help me to show others the door that opens up to following You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

My Utmost for His Highest - June 19th - Service of Passionate Devotion

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. - John 21:16

    Jesus did not say — Make converts to your way of thinking, but look after My sheep, see that they get nourished in the knowledge of Me. We count as service what we do in the way of Christian work; Jesus Christ calls service what we are to Him, not what we do for Him. Discipleship is based on devotion to Jesus Christ, not on adherence to a belief or a creed. “If any man come to Me and hate not…, he cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:26)” There is no argument and no compulsion, but simply — “If you would be My disciple, you must be devoted to Me.” A man touched by the Spirit of God suddenly says — “Now I see Who Jesus is,” and that is the source of devotion.

    To-day we have substituted credal belief for personal belief, and that is why so many are devoted to causes and so few devoted to Jesus Christ. People do not want to be devoted to Jesus, but only to the cause He started. Jesus Christ is a source of deep offence to the educated mind of to-day that does not want Him in any other way than as a Comrade. Our Lord’s first obedience was to the will of His Father, not to the needs of men; the saving of men was the natural outcome of His obedience to the Father. If I am devoted to the cause of humanity only, I will soon be exhausted and come to the place where my love will falter; but if I love Jesus Christ personally and passionately, I can serve humanity though men treat me as a door-mat. The secret of a disciple’s life is devotion to Jesus Christ, and the characteristic of the life is its unobtrusiveness. It is like a corn of wheat, which falls into the ground and dies, but presently it will spring up and alter the whole landscape (John 12:24).

Mom's Notes

2009 Mother's Death

My Notes

Nourish my sheep. Be devoted to God/Jesus, not to causes only He started. Be devoted to His followers. 

 - From Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest" - Classic Edition

Highlights and Underlines are courtesy of Mom from her print edition

John 10:11 - Particular Atonement

John 10:11 

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

Message: Particular Atonement

Time: John is not recorded as the author, but unanimous testimony of early Christians, like Iraneus in the 2nd century declare him the author. Plus, the eyewitness account give rise that it was one of the close knit disciples and Peter already penned through Mark and James died soon after the resurrection, which leaves John. It is thought this book was written between 85 and 95 AD. The Deity of Christ is a striking quality of John's gospel. 

What the Lord is Saying:

In Penal substitution, Jesus dies in place of others, but who are the others that He dies for? Whom did He intend to save? In John 10:11, Jesus, the good shepherd lays down His life for His sheep. Is every human being His sheep? Later in 10:26-27 Jesus says, you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice. Thus, there is a clear contrast in the words of Jesus - My sheep and not of My sheep. And so does the good shepherd lay down His live for everyone or just his sheep. Hard to say. Verse 11 says "the sheep." There is a common doctrine put forth of limited atonement versus unlimited atonement. In limited atonement, the thought is that Jesus lays his life down for his elect. Not everyone will be saved, that is clear and true, so if not everyone is saved, then did Jesus die for all people or only those that he saved. The Tabletalk magazine I read from the Reformed Faith states that Jesus died for only His Sheep, not all sheep. 

To explain further, if Jesus died for all sinners and meaning, he bore the punishment for all sinners, then it perhaps does not seem logical that some of those he paid the punishment for would then end up in hell. Now, many would argue as well that each person has a choice in his/her own salvation. So Jesus can die for all sinners and each sinner then chooses his own salvation. But this is something I have already studied previously. For instance, earlier this year I looked at Is Grace Cooperative. Granted this was a meaty sort of discussion as there have been a lot of competing thoughts on this issue. The message of the Gospel is to everyone, but we know not everyone will be saved - as we see also here there are sheep that hear and sheep that do not hear. Those that do not hear do not have in them the desire and the only way man has the desire is if God brings grace into a person's life to effect change and a new birth. 

Many thinkers argued something else, that man is involved in this process of choosing God. I think man sees this from his perspective, but it also seems very clear that many people, no matter how much arguing or reasoning you do with them, they refuse to encounter God and surrender to Him with their lives. It seems many sample God, but not many really seek Him and seek His word. So again, some will hear His voice and some will not. This is the way it is. But we are not to lose heart. We remain faithful. 

Thus, the clarification offered is Jesus dies for sinners and there are sinners that hear His voice. He does not die for those that do not hear His voice because then God would be unjust to punish in hell someone for who Christ died. This would mean that man needs to be involved and can in his soul have a desire for God apart from Him and that Jesus dies but the sinner is only changed when he chooses. But the argument we've studied is man only has a capacity or desire for God when God puts it there. God chooses us.  

I've studied this and studied it, but I will say, it is still a challenge to understand for me. But I press on and I continue to try to be faithful to His word and obedient to Him and in this obedience is speaking the truth of love to others. 

Promise: Christ died for all kinds of people, but Jesus did not die for everyone without exception. If you believe in Jesus, He had you particularly in mind when He made atonement for your sins. He loves you in particular that much. 

Prayer: O God, you have saved me. Part of my struggle with this verse is the struggle in you choosing me when I see others, that appear to not be chosen and are not on course to be chosen, from what I can see. I know that the road is narrow as you say. All I can say is thank you Jesus for showing me and leading me and letting me walk on this Narrow Road. O thank you God. You have made this unworthy man worthy. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of May is about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April was about salvation by grace alone; March about the sovereign providence of God; February was about the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January was about the doctrine of God.

- Attributes of Jesus - The Divine Nature of Christ meaning Jesus is God, the God-Man, God became man, The Human Nature of Christ Jesus has the qualities of man (hunger, needing rest, not knowing future events, being tempted), Jesus the Last Adam as Adam was our federal head in ushering all sin to man, Jesus makes all alive for those in Christ, Jesus the True Israel as Israel was called by God to be His true messenger, but Jesus is the one that truly fulfilled this call, Jesus the Messiah is the One that rescues and delivers His people

- The Word of Jesus - Obedience in Childhood reminds us that each day Jesus grew in obedience and favor with God, Obedience in Baptism showed Jesus fulfilled all righteousness, as John had been baptizing all new believers, Obedience in Temptation - like men called by God before, Jesus is tempted, but he resists and defends Himself with scripture, showing perfect obedience, Obedience under the Law as Christ was born under the Law, and kept the Law perfectly to redeem man, Obedience in Suffering as even in suffering Jesus learned obedience, a sinless man suffering for sinners, 

- His Titles - Christ Our Prophet, speaking for God, with divine inspiration, His words absolutely trustworthy and never fail to accomplish His purposes, Christ the Priest, clearing the way for human beings to approach the Father in heaven through prayer, Christ Our King is King of Kings, the last and final monarch of our lives for He did it all, 

- His Atonement - In Penal Substitution the penalty is paid by a substitute and Jesus paid the penalty of sin, once for all, and now with Particular Atonement is the reminder that Jesus had me in my mind when He went to the cross, not everyone, but only those who will hear His voice.  

Mark 6:30-34 - Sheep Without A Shepherd

Mark 6:30-34
³⁰ The apostles *gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. ³¹ And He *said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) ³² They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.
³³ The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them. ³⁴ When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.

Message: Sheep Without A Shepherd

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus is now in Nazareth, his hometown, but he doesn't get the reception that we would think. Instead of welcoming him, people question him. But he continues with his message of repent and believe. Jesus is becoming more and more well known and his message is reaching further and further. With that sometimes comes misunderstanding. Herod Antipas, one of 4 rulers of Rome now, wonders if Jesus is a resurrected John. At this, Mark diverts a little to tell us about John and his relationship with Herod and then his untimely death at the hands of Herod because his new wife Herodias felt shame over John's words about her marrying Herod and leaving her 1st husband in order to move up the social ladder.

Jesus has previously sent out his apostles. Multiplying the gospel message is key and Jesus commissions these men to do the work of the gospel, giving them the authority as well to heal people and exercise demons. The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. The apostles were returning to Jesus to tell him all that they had done and taught. Notice, done precedes taught as if, even with the apostles, there was something more electrifying about the miracles that had been performed than the message that had gone out. 

Jesus' response to the apostles is Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while. Jesus knows that they are probably exhausted from their work, perhaps even defaulting to healing people rather than focusing more squarely on the message. They have a need to retreat and rest. We all have this need. I have this need as I am taking 2 days off from work right now in order to take a rest before my new boss starts on Monday. I need a break as well. Jesus, upon creation, gave us a Sabbath day to rest. 

But, this doesn't mean the people will let people rest: They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves. The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them. It is not clear what the people's motivation was at this time. Was it the radical message or was it the miracles? I'm noticed thus far that Mark is not yet communicating in much detail the message of what Jesus is bringing but he is honed in more on the responses of people. In some ways there is a somewhat hidden message of belief and repentance that is going on in these passages. 

• Jesus performs miracles mostly related to healing and casting out of demons 1:21-2:12
• Controversy is seen in Jesus' friendship with sinners, over Sabbath-work, over Sabbath-healing, Opposition by his Friends 2:13-3:35
• Jesus provides parables that speak to the mission of his disciples but also the various responses that can be anticipated 4:1-34
• Jesus performs miracles more focused on his dominion over the sea, death and dying 4:35-5:43
• Even as the message goes out, there is sometimes misunderstanding of who Jesus is and what he is doing 5:44-6:34

And this is where today's passage brings us. We are witnessing Jesus' power in these passages, his power over lives and people and nature, but that doesn't necessarily mean the message is being received. It is hard to tell. He remarks that they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. As enamored as people were, they were still needing to be taught. 

Perhaps this is what Mark is trying to convey - there is importance in Jesus teaching as he is showing that Jesus keeps coming back to the message. Yet, why is he being so descriptive about the miracles as this is leading up now to the feeding of 5,000 and Jesus walking on the Water. Is this an attempt to build a crowd first and then provide them the message? Is this often what our churches are doing today? Are they providing something fun to bring people into the church? Often, I see this. Whether it is a carnival instead of Halloween or an event at a park, there are these opportunities to bring people in the door. However, the message of the Gospel, of sin, of repentance and believing must be central. We don't do all of those things to then give them a self-help seminar. 

Summary - The apostles have arrived, back from there journey of teaching and doing. Jesus sees that they need a rest, but the masses are still running after them. Jesus remarks that these people are still wondering like sheep without a shepherd. He responds then by teaching them. What they need is to learn and be taught. 

Promise: We need to sit under the solid teaching of God's word. The message is what changes lives, permanently. People will be enamored and flock to Him because of miracles, but the crux is the gospel to believe and surrender, turn from our sin and go continually toward God. 

Prayer: Thank you for Mark Lord and the message that I read from him. At times, I am not sure what I am to learn. I want to know you, through Mark's lens which I know mostly comes from Peter, but I want to know you as these men did in the time you walked the earth. Help me to rediscover you and know you in the way you wanted to be known. Help me to understand your message. Thank you for Godly men and women you have commissioned throughout the ages to teach us. Thank you for equipping and inspiring many. I pray that I too can rest when I need to. Thank you for being my Shepherd and showing me the way.

Jesus Calling: October 30

I AM with you. I am with you. I am with you. Heaven's bells continually peal with that promise of My Presence. Some people never hear those bells because their minds are earthbound and their hearts are closed to Me. Others hear those bells only once or twice in their lifetimes, in rare moments of seeking Me above all else. My desire is that My "sheep" hear My voice continually, for I am the ever-present Shepherd. 
     Quietness is the classroom where you learn to hear My voice. Beginners need a quiet place in order to still their minds. As you advance in this discipline, you gradually learn to carry the stillness with you wherever you go. When you step back into the mainstream of life, straining to hear those glorious bells: I am with you. I am with you. I am with you. 

Jeremiah 29:12-13
English Standard Version
¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.


John 10:14, 27-28
English Standard Version 
¹⁴ I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me
²⁷ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

My Prayer
Help me to not get too big for my own britches and continually see that I am but a sheep and I need a shepherd daily to guide me. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.


Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Psalm 100 - Rejoicing Unto the Lord

Psalm 100
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.


Message: Rejoicing Unto the Lord

Time:  The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

The sermon (message) this past Sunday was about the heart and whether we have really experienced a change in our heart. That's the key. Change My Heart, O God. Lately, as I sit in service, I've been thinking about some of the songs. I've just been thinking about the words and how so many of them are simply, straightforward songs of thankfulness and praise to God. Not that this is bad, but I have just been thinking about those words. Maybe I've been wondering how much praise I really have in my heart. People hold their hands up. I look over at the pastor and they have this fervor in their being to really praise God. It's interesting. I just don't know if I have that same passion or fervor. I find myself enthralled often by the simple observation of people, looking at them, wanting to meet them, and understand their story or journey of faith.

So, now I come to this Psalm. Psalm 100. And the title of this lesson, "Rejoicing Unto the Lord." And I wonder, is this my heart speaking? Is this my heart really praising God? Do I have it in me?

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
Shout, speak loudly, to the Lord, with joy.

Serve the Lord with gladness
It is about Him when I serve, not about me. I am serving Him.

Come before Him with joyful singing.
Here it is, my singing is to be joyful, not mournful, but joyful. I do savor the worship now at church. It is wonderful.

Know that the Lord Himself is God.
The Lord is God. God is God. Honor and respect Him. The Lord of Israel is not just Lord over a specific people, but over all people.

It is He who has made us, not ourselves.
He is my creator. 

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
He has chosen us to be His.  

Enter His gates with thanksgiving
Come to Him with thanksgiving. Come before Him with a thankful heart, not a needing heart. Come before Him with thanksgiving. 

And His courts with praise.
Enter his area with praise. Again, I come to Him to praise Him not with open requests. 

Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
My focus is thanking Him, blessing His name. 

For the Lord is good;
For the Lord is good. His ways are good. 

His lovingkindness is everlasting
His love never changes. It is always present. It is enduring. It is unconditional. 

And His faithfulness to all generations.
He is faithful to all people, in all times. He never changes. 

Promise: It is a great thing to serve the Lord with gladness.

Zechariah 13

Message: What will the return of Christ mean to Israel? Israel will be cleansed from her sin.

Time: Written after the Temple Was Completed circa 480-470BC

What the Lord is Saying:

On that day refers to the tribulation period, a future time, when Israel will be cleansed from their sins and impurity. Is Israel cleansed right now? Right now, they have rejected the Messiah and cleansing comes by faith, but the Lord has always promised restoration for His people and one day there will be restoration for all. Israel will come to repentance and a fountain of forgiveness will be released on them.

Romans 10:3 reminds us that people try to establish their own righteousness and this is what Israel or Jewish people are currently doing. They are trying to decide on their own the standard of righteousness and this is also the greatest problem of people at large today. Most people are deciding themselves what it means to be righteous. They are mapping out their own way to define this rather than submitting to the Lord. People set up rules and they set up codes and ways that must be followed. They have erected perfect churches and those people set the standard.

Jesus does not just clean us one time, but his cleansing is continual. We are continually forgiven. Forgiveness happens because of the blood of Jesus. It was one act and yet the cleansing keeps on happening (I John 1:9).

Verse 2 speaks of the fact that the spirit of impurity and the false prophets will be removed from the land. Those agents of evil will be no more. What an exciting day that will be. Sin will continue because men and women will remain, but the spirit which is constantly moving people away from Christ and instead toward the practice of just good works will be removed. To the point that in verse 3 that if a child tries to prophecy his parents will stab him to death. Even though there is no closer union than a parent/child, the hatred of false prophecy will override that.

Verse 4 is interesting because the outer garment that is worn to identity one as a prophet will be no more. It will be gone. There are so many garments that are worn that try to set people apart and show them as papal people and yet, often, those that wear it aren't true to the calling of Christ. But, at this time, those clothes will be removed. No one will want to even come close to being attributed to a prophet.

Verses 7-9 seems to be distinct from the previous verse because "on that day" in not mentioned. This shepherd will be struck down. The sheep will be scattered. Two-thirds will die, one-third remain. And that remaining third will be brought through the fire. They will be pure, refined, purified, and God will answer them and call them His people. This could be talking about Jesus and His Church, which we now live in.


Promise: God's People are cleansed

Zechariah 10

Message: The Lord will restore His people

Time: The focus remains on the first coming of Christ. This is taking place after the completion of the temple. 480-470BC

What the Lord is Saying:

• The Lord promises a restoration for his people. 
• He will send rain, restoring their pastures (crops) to abundance. 
• His people need a shepherd, otherwise they walk lost and aimless, trusting in pipe dreams.
• A shepherd has the power of making the flock strong and glorious. 
• God will send a Cornerstone
• The Cornerstone will make His warriors mighty
• His warriors will trample their enemies because the Lord will be with them. 
• The Lord will strengthen His people because of His compassion. 
• He is their Lord and His people will have happiness because of something they take in apart from themselves (like wine). 
• They will listen to me when I call. 
• The few remaining will grow numerous.
• Though they are spread out, they will be united. 
• And they will one day be regathered. 
• The Lord makes His people strong. 

"By my authority, they will go wherever they wish." - not sure what this means

What I see from this passage is our need for a shepherd. Without a shepherd, the sheep or we, wander, trusting in words from others that never really lead us down the right path. Being in Christ, being with the Lord, means being guided by Him and what results by being in Him is a joy or happiness that in a way, is outside our knowing of how this happens. Like the way drinking wine effects us.

Verses 1-3 remind me of how little has changed in history. Sure, we have changes, but in the end, many look for guidance from idols and people that they think are making sense, rather than trusting in the Lord, the Shepherd. And then the sheep struggle remaining faithful. That's why, as I study God's word, I'm amazed by the phrase "be careful." It is a phrase I see often in Scripture. We must be careful for it is easy to be veered off course, even from those that are over us.

Lord, I pray you would gather Your sheep and Your sheep would hear your voice. Lord, make me more dependent on You. Help me to see that my strength is found in your camp and following after you. Thank you for calling me.

Promise: The Lord makes His people strong.

Ezekiel 34

Message: Prophecy against the shepherds of Israel; the Lord is our Shepherd and the Lord has a covenant of piece

Time: The Lord speaking to Ezekiel

What the Lord is Saying:

The Lord tells Ezekiel to speak against the shepherds. What was their problem? They focused first on their own nourishment and then looked out for their flock, second. This is obviously a problem. The shepherds drank milk, wore wool, and then butchered the the best animals. But they did not take care of the weak. They have not sought out and looked after the lost. Instead, they have been harsh. And the sheep have scattered, and no one is searching for them. And the message is that the shepherds have neglected the flock.

Immediately, I see several applications for this passage. The father should care for his family. The pastor should be more concerned with his church than his self. The Christian needs to look out for those wandering and meet their needs. I thought of Cliff that I met yesterday in church and within a minute he was letting me know he was getting a divorce. Wow. And I just directed him to the auditorium. Why didn't I stop and figure out a way to minister to him? He didn't sound like God was in his life. But, I didn't do anything. I let him wander. O God, rescue Cliff and draw Him.

I also think of my kids and how I am constantly making it sound like it is a trial for me to do everything for them. And yet they are children. They need a shepherd even though they are prone to wander.

This is our role as believers and stewards of Christ. And my role as a husband, manager, leader, to look out for the flock and give them what they need.

The Lord says, "I myself will search and find my sheep." Is this because the shepherd he set up abandoned them? Or is He just saying that He is the one that finds the sheep? Either way, the Lord will work to bring his sheep back into the fold, no matter the circumstance that they are in. The Lord will feed them. He will gather them and bring them back into his own land. He will give them good pasture. He will seek the lost, bring back the strayed, bind up the injured, strengthen the weak.

And he mentions that he will be judge over the lean and fat sheep. The fat don't need to be around. The problem is these sheep don't just take the good pasture, but they instead want it all.

And the Lord desires to make a covenant with them. They will be secured where they are at and they will not have to fear the enemy. I will send them rain when they need it. They will know that "I am the Lord."

Promise: This is an interesting passage. Did the shepherd not do good enough and so then the Lord stepped in? The bottom line is that God takes care of his own, but he wants his leaders to also tend to their flock. As we seek the Lord, we will never be led astray.