Eastertide

May 3, 2020

Scripture Reading:
John 10:1-10

So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. –John 10:7-10

One of the first jobs I had on the farm was making sure all the chickens were in the chicken house before dark when we locked the door, protecting them from predators like coyotes. During the day they roamed all over the farm. While I thought of this as my job, my mother accompanied me. She actually lacked the door until I was tall enough to do it. I must confess I grin every time I see a sign that advertises free-range chickens in grocery stores, often selling for a higher price than then others.

I thought of this task as I read the phrase Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. Having and maintaining a relationship with Jesus prepares us to go out into the world being in the world but not of it.

Another task I had was unlocking the door the next morning and filling the food and water vessels so the chickens could be nurtured before they went outside. I also gathered their eggs.

God did not call us to stay in God’s house but to gain rest for our bodies and nourishment for our souls there. Worship and other spiritual disciplines prepare us for service. We then can go out and productively work for the establishment of the Kingdom of God in our world today.

You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
   who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress;
   my God, in whom I trust.’
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
   and from the deadly pestilence;
he will cover you with his pinions,
   and under his wings you will find refuge;
   his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. (Psalm 91:1-4)

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for your loving care and for being with us each step of our way as we journey forth to love others as you love us. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.