Today’s scripture: John 10:1-21 (NRSV) (The Message)

As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.

My thoughts (Christen Peters):

It seems that when I’ve looked at this passage in the past, I’ve really focused on how the sheep know Jesus’ voice and how Jesus calls his sheep by name. Somehow I’m not feeling that focus this time. As I’ve pondered this passage during the last week, I am most struck by verse 16.

In the time that the Gospel of John was written, this verse would have seemed quite revolutionary. What was most striking and fearful for the people of the time was that it meant that Gentiles were Jesus’ sheep also. Talk about turning things on end. The Old Testament (or First Testament) scriptures talk over and over again about the Jewish people being God’s chosen people. But here is Jesus saying “Hey — there are others that will be my people too.” Imagine the chagrin of those who had been going through their lives trying their best to keep all 613 Old Testament laws.

Today we might feel great justification in proclaiming this verse as argument for the inclusion of groups that some ultra-conservatives may feel don’t qualify — like, perhaps, us GLBT folks, and those who love and support us. Which really brings me to the thing that most sticks with me:

Who is it that I have unfairly judged as most surely NOT being one of Jesus’ sheep?

Am I willing to take to heart that Jesus’ people are not for me to pick and choose?

Thought for the day: God, help me to remember that it’s not my place to pass judgment — that my testament to your goodness and mercy would be much better served by my love of all my fellow beings.

Today, let’s join together in prayer for: Caroline and her partner, Heather. Caroline is experiencing complications in her 33rd week of pregnancy, and may need to be hospitalized until she can deliver at 36 weeks.

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. Use the item above as a starting point, or consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.

This entry was posted on Saturday, February 24th, 2007 at 12:01 am and is filed under Gospel of John. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.