Eastertide

April 23, 2023

Scripture Reading: John 10:1-10
‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

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.

I enjoy the various health-related ads encouraging people to drink water instead of beverages full of sugar and caffeine. Usually, in a fresh and sometimes fanciful way, the ads explain that pure, simple water is healthier than drinks loaded with ingredients that have little if any, nutritional value. While they may perk us upright when we drink them, we will find they make us sluggish later.

I think in the above scripture, Jesus told us that the ways of the world may seem enticing, but are not necessarily, good for us. We need to seek for ourselves and for all others an abundant life full of love and justice. Our challenge is to see through the distractions of the world and find the true worth of God’s abundant life and with God’s guidance live such a life and work toward a world where everyone can live such a life.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your gift of an abundant life help us savor it and share it to the ends of the earth. 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.