OCTOBER 18, 2021 READINGS... John 10:1-42 & Luke 13:22-14:24
In our readings in John today we read of Jesus making some incredible claims about Himself. I would remind you that the emphasis of John’s Gospel is different from the other three Gospels. John’s intent was to make sure we know that Jesus is God. That is the way he begins… ”In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God…and we beheld His glory the glory of the only begotten Son of the Father” - John 1:1 & 14. In our reading, Jesus first claims to be the gate by which the sheep that belong to the Shepherd are identified and by which they are allowed to come into the Shepherd’s pasture. Jesus is speaking about the fact the He is the only way to salvation…if someone tries to come in another way they are not part of the flock, but a stranger. This reminds us that there is no way to salvation other than Jesus. We can’t earn it…we cannot be good enough…religion won’t get us there…our money cannot buy it…only Jesus, for He is the Gate. Then Jesus tells us He is the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd lays down His life for His Sheep. He warns of hirelings, who run away when danger comes…they do this because they don’t love the sheep, they just love living off the sheep. The sheep know their Shepherd, and they recognize His voice…and the Shepherd knows His sheep. Those who are not His, He will not let in…and those who are His, nothing can take them out of His hand. Finally, Jesus claims to be the Son of God…He claims to be God. For those today who say Jesus never claimed to be God, they must have missed the book of John. Jesus says, “I and My Father are one.” Jesus says, “I am the Son of God.” The people understood what He was claiming and they said, “We’re not stoning you for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God.” So now, it is clear either Jesus is God, or He is a blasphemer. Which do you believe? Be careful for your answer will determine your eternity.
The second part of our reading is from the book of Luke. Luke records for us Jesus weeping over Jerusalem for their unbelief, and for their killing of the true prophets of God. Luke also tells us of a time when Jesus sees a man with a sickness and heals him. The problem with this was that Jesus did this on the Sabbath. Of course, the Pharisees were there watching to see what Jesus would do…then they accused Him of violating the Sabbath. Jesus turned it around on them telling them if their son or even their cow falls into a pit on the Sabbath, they would get them out. Then Jesus teaches about the coming kingdom and used the illustration of a man who prepared a great feast and invited all who were supposed to be his friends. One by one they came up with excuses as to why they could not come to the feast. This angered the man, so he instructed his servant to go out in the streets and invite the poor, the sick, the blind and lame to the feast. Jesus came to the house of Israel, they rejected Him…and now we poor, sick, blind, and lame Gentiles have been invited to join Him. Thank you Father for including us…thank you Father for including me!
Please share your thoughts from today’s readings.
TOMORROW’S READINGS… Luke 14:25-17:10 & John 11:1-37