Shepherd Sheep: Mutual Affection

~~~ Ezekiel 37: 21-28 ~~~ John 11: 45-56 ~~~

God, having assured us of his strength (rock, fortress) and power (lightning bolts, parted seas) yesterday,is now calling us to gather around him. Just as the sheep gather round the shepherd. The sheep know the shepherd's voice. They know by past experience that he will lead them safely through treacherous lands. The sheep know that he will protect them from the wolves at night. The sheep know that the shepherd will tend to their wounds from the Brier patches.

The sheep love the shepherd and the shepherd loves the sheep.

It is mutual.

This is exactly how God wants to take care of us in the same fashion as the shepherd. Our God shepherd wants to care for more than our physical needs. Our shepherd wants to care for the needs of our soul. Our shepherd wants to care for our salvation. He beckons to us to gather round him.

He now knows his time is getting very short. He retreats from the public interaction and flees to the desert. In the past the desert has been a place of temptation for Jesus. But now the desert is a place of respite before the feast of the Passover.

The high priests are getting restless and their unrest is mounting. They want to take action. They cannot stand what they perceive as competition. They fear Jesus is going to take over and that would be the end of life as they have grown accustomed to. 

It is too bad that the Jews of that time could not see Jesus for who he was...the Messiah. Many thought Jesus would not return to Jerusalem for the Passover.

But, it was so written that he would indeed return with a triumphant entry to Jerusalem.

The shepherd is gathering his sheep close to him.

Are you coming?

You do know the sound of his voice.

Listen carefully. He will tend to all your needs.