21 April 2013 - tearless

21 April 2013 - tearless

“My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.

What defines us as his sheep is that we recognize his voice.  So how do we come to recognize his voice when he speaks?

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,

The Father gives us to the Good Shepherd to be his sheep.  And since being his sheep means we hear him that must be part of the gift.  We don't attain it with effort.  We listen in faith trusting in our shepherd.  Our shepherd has also become a lamb like us so we can relate to him, know him, and trust that he has our greatest good at heart.

For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne
will shepherd them
and lead them to springs of life-giving water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

His love is so great that he wants to bring the whole world into his flock so that he can be the shepherd of all.  So many wander lost and his heart is wounded for them.  Sheep without a shepherd are hapless and pitiable.  Fortunately he will not rest until all are safe in his pastures.

I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
that you may be an instrument of salvation
to the ends of the earth.”

We are meant for his pastures.  On our own our eyes are filled with tears and our mouths with thirst.  But under his care we rejoice knowing that there is nothing we lack.

The LORD is good:
his kindness endures forever,