April 19, 2015: John 10:11-18

We encourage you to read this devotion three times a day.  Start in the morning and reflect upon the morning reflection question. Then in the afternoon, read it again and reflect using the noon question for reflection.  For the evening, take time to ponder how this has resonated with you in the day and reflecting using the evening question.  We offer a prayer with each devotion for you to pray or we invite you to pray what is in your heart.

John 10:11-18 (NIV)
 

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Reflection: Known  

 I struggle to remember names.  It is not a positive attribute to be a pastor and have this struggle.  However, most people are grace-filled and continue to offer their names until I finally get it.  Now this is just the struggle to know someone's name.  The real challenge is to know someone, to truly and intimately know someone.  If we are to be honest, those who are married spend a lifetime trying to "know" their spouse.  there is always a surprise an unexpected discovery even after years and years of life together.  Our text from John today is a breath of fresh air for all of us.  It is a gasp to think of the reality that God knows us, the good and all of the bad.  It is a miracle, a true miracle, that loves us still.  Now that is grace!  That is pure and undefiled love. We have a guide who is with us every step of our lives (the great shepherd).  We are never alone.  May that reality become an empowering force in your life.

Reflection Questions:
Morning: How do you feel to know that God fully know you and still loves you?
How does this fact inspire you to offer that much love to others?

Noon:Who do you need to love and forgive?
Evening:Where, in your life, do you need God's guidance and direction?
What does it really mean that God loves you fully?  How does that change you?