Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
February 27, 2023
Read John 10:1-5, 22-28
1 I assure you that whoever doesn’t enter into the sheep pen through the gate but climbs over the wall is a thief and an outlaw. 2 The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The guard at the gate opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 Whenever he has gathered all of his sheep, he goes before them and they follow him, because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger but will run away because they don’t know the stranger’s voice.” 22 The time came for the Festival of Dedication in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple, walking in the covered porch named for Solomon. 24 The Jewish opposition circled around him and asked, “How long will you test our patience? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered, “I have told you, but you don’t believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you don’t believe because you don’t belong to my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life. They will never die, and no one will snatch them from my hand.
Good Morning, Jesus is the good shepherd who leads us.
Have you ever been in a big crowd and heard a child cry, “Mom!”? Initially, everyone stops and looks toward the sound. Those who have never been a “mom” quickly go back to their conversation or activity. Every one of us who has ever been a mom listens carefully. Even if you know your child is not present, you listen to ensure it is not a call for you. Again, over time you go back to whatever you were doing. The mom who realizes her child is missing works to find the voice of the one who is lost. She might call out to the child as she hopes to lead him to her with the sound of her voice. Regardless of the time needed, she will not stop until she finds her child.
Jesus, the good shepherd, calls, leads, and protects us. If one of us becomes lost, he will search the world until we are found. Several verses in both the Old and New Testaments use the imagery of the shepherd and his sheep. A shepherd takes care of his sheep no matter what. When the sheep need a new pasture upon which to graze, the shepherd leads them over rocks and dangerous lands to find a new source of food. The shepherd sleeps in the cold and eats meagerly for the sake of the sheep. Those with whom he has been entrusted are his focus.
Remember David, a shepherd whose only weapon was a strip of cloth and a stone. A good shepherd is ready to lay down his life for his sheep. He was ready to face down any enemy ready to attack his sheep. He even defeated the mighty warrior, Goliath, dressed in his conviction that God was with him.
Jesus is calling us, his sheep, to follow him. He will lead us to the finest pastures where all our needs will be supplied. When we fall down in despair, he will be there to lift us up. He will come and find us to lead us home when we stray from the path. He gave his life and bore all our sins so we would be forgiven and receive the gift of salvation from our gracious and loving Father.
Listen, the good shepherd is calling us home. Jesus is calling for you and for me.
Gracious God, Thank You for being with us. You bless us. Help us focus on the voice of the one who calls us. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: I will listen for the voice of my Shepherd amid the noise of the crowd.
Listen, Jesus is calling! Pastor Liz