CREDIT: Joan Campderros-i-Canas
Dear Sheep of God’s Flock,
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
I doesn’t always happen like this, but this year “Good Shepherd Sunday” was also on “Mother's Day”! How fitting! When I think about my mom, she is a shepherd. I was definitely a wayward sheep, but my mom always called me back to the fold in a loving and supportive way. One of those ways – making sure my brothers and me were all herded into the car for worship every Sunday – making sure we heard our Good Shepherd’s voice.
Jesus is our Good Shepherd. He says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Where do we hear His voice? Whenever we hear God’s word proclaimed in truth, that’s the voice of Jesus calling to His sheep – you, me, and all mankind.
Unfortunately, the image of a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” is more than an image. It’s a reality. Paul warned the church – both in his day and today – about wolves who would try to lead the flock astray by twisting the Good Shepherd’s words in ways that draw us away from the one, true God (Acts 20:29-30). Satan uses these wolves, false teachers all, to try to draw, slowly but surely, God’s children into the darkness of sin and unbelief. Usually, it’s through lies that seem good, seem nice, seem helpful, but are, in reality, counter to God’s intentions for us. But Paul reminds us of how we can fend off these attacks by discerning the truth saying, “I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up …” (Acts 20:32).
When we encounter these wolves, let the Good Shepherd lead you back into safety. Take time to look it up in His word. Take time to ask me, our Deacons, and other knowledgeable disciples for help. In these ways, God continues shepherding us through “the valley of the shadow of death … (to) dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:4,6).
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jim