I am the good shepherd,
and I know mine and mine know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
Jesus is the shepherd who actually cares about us. He doesn't deal with us just to make a profit. He doesn't do it because he has to do it. He shepherds us because he knows us and he cares about us. He wants everyone to hear the sound of his voice and to be united in one flock.
making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth (see Ephesians 1:9-10)
No longer are the Gentiles to be separate. God has granted life-giving repentance to all peoples. The Spirit tells us, as it tells Peter, to accompany without discriminating any who are willing to listen. God is at work drawing all people to himself. No one is excluded. None need be left out or left behind. The embrace of the Father and of Jesus is wide enough for the entire world.
In spite of the abundance of grace we sometimes assume that we ourselves are left out. We see God working around us but we don't recognize the same presence in our own lives. Let us listen to his word today. His Spirit is meant to fall upon us as much as anyone. His power is meant to mark our lives as well.
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them
as it had upon us at the beginning,
and I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said,
'John baptized with water
but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'
This is a visible change in the hearers. Peter sees it happen. It is meant to be a visible change in us as well. Speak, LORD, we're listening, let your Spirit fall on us!
As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?
He inspires the thirst in our souls in order, not to thwart it, but to satisfy it. He himself, after all, is the water of life.
Then will I go in to the altar of God,
the God of my gladness and joy;
Then will I give you thanks upon the harp,
O God, my God!
and I know mine and mine know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
Jesus is the shepherd who actually cares about us. He doesn't deal with us just to make a profit. He doesn't do it because he has to do it. He shepherds us because he knows us and he cares about us. He wants everyone to hear the sound of his voice and to be united in one flock.
making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth (see Ephesians 1:9-10)
No longer are the Gentiles to be separate. God has granted life-giving repentance to all peoples. The Spirit tells us, as it tells Peter, to accompany without discriminating any who are willing to listen. God is at work drawing all people to himself. No one is excluded. None need be left out or left behind. The embrace of the Father and of Jesus is wide enough for the entire world.
In spite of the abundance of grace we sometimes assume that we ourselves are left out. We see God working around us but we don't recognize the same presence in our own lives. Let us listen to his word today. His Spirit is meant to fall upon us as much as anyone. His power is meant to mark our lives as well.
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them
as it had upon us at the beginning,
and I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said,
'John baptized with water
but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'
This is a visible change in the hearers. Peter sees it happen. It is meant to be a visible change in us as well. Speak, LORD, we're listening, let your Spirit fall on us!
As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?
He inspires the thirst in our souls in order, not to thwart it, but to satisfy it. He himself, after all, is the water of life.
Then will I go in to the altar of God,
the God of my gladness and joy;
Then will I give you thanks upon the harp,
O God, my God!
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