These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice,
and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
We must learn to hear the voice of the one shepherd. He is uniting all who will come into one flock. He is joining together one people of God out of the multitudes of humanity.
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
He is the shepherd. But he is also the Lamb of God. We are united as brothers and sisters. Together with Jesus we call God our Father. This united family is the beginning of our salvation even here and now.
Beloved, we are God's children now;
There are forces that attack unity. Sin causes division and death separates. But in Jesus these forces are overcome. This transnational family was always the plan of God. We hear in the promise to Abraham God's desire to bless all the nations. Yet sin interrupted this plan. It is realized only in Jesus because it is he who destroys death forever.
There is no salvation through anyone else,
nor is there any other name under heaven
given to the human race by which we are to be saved.
Unity sometimes seems like a nice optional extra to be pursued when doctrine is good and personal relationship with Jesus is good and basically every other possible thing is good. But the very meaning of salvation includes unity as a core element. We are not just united to Jesus. We become parts of his body. We are not intended to relate to Jesus independently of the rest of his body. We have much to give and to receive in this body.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
What we see when we see God as he is not be a solitary being. Instead it is a communion of persons. This is why our communion with people is essential from start to finish. If being made like God and seeing him go hand in hand we can only become like him in relationship. Only then can we see the truth of what it means that he himself is relational.
To become like God, to see him as he is, and to come into greater unity with his body, are all gifts which only Jesus can give us. Only in his name can we receive them. Only following his voice can we find them. Only filled with his Spirit can we experience them.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless you from the house of the LORD.
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
and have been my savior.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his kindness endures forever.
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