As we continue to walk through Jesus’ seven “I AM” claims in the Gospel of John, this week we listen to Jesus say, “I AM the gate for the sheep.” We, the sheep, will explore what it means that Jesus is the only gate, that he is the gate through which we can go in and out from “pen to pasture,” and that Jesus the Gate opens our lives to their fullest potential and best blessings. May we recognize Jesus’ voice this morning and follow him.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows his sheep and willingly lays down his life for them.
The day after Jesus miraculously feeds 5000 people, they come back looking for more miracle bread. When Jesus responds, "I am the bread of life," the crowd finds that bread hard to swallow. As Jesus pushes them further, they find the Bread of Life hard to follow, and many of his disciples leave. Are we willing to accept all of Jesus and metabolize him into every part of our lives? May we joyfully feast on the Bread of Life.
When Jesus encounters a man born blind, he tells his disciples, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” The healing story not only reveals sight to the blind, it reveals the blindness of the leaders who refuse to recognize Jesus. As lovers of Jesus, do we still have spiritual blind spots? Are they more than just spots? May Jesus, the Light of the world, open our eyes to see him at work, and may the Holy Spirit kindle our hearts to join him in his mission.
This week we continue our Advent worship theme of the names of Jesus with Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The crowd around Jesus understood shepherds – good and bad – and they would have a good picture of what Jesus meant when he called himself the Good Shepherd. Even more, Jesus’ shepherd imagery evokes images of God’s promises through the prophet Ezekiel: that one day God himself would search for and look after his scattered sheep. Jesus is Immanuel – God with us to shepherd us and save us by laying down his own life for us.