Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 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…
…The Jews who heard these words were again divided. Many of them said, “He is raving mad. Why listen to him?” (John 10)
BEST STORY EVER: The Gospel-writer John is my hands-down favorite of the Jesus-Story tellers. He always seems to tap into deeper layers of the narrative. I seldom read from John’s account without imagining how I would have responded, or thought, or blogged about my encounters with Jesus.
John’s entire Gospel is a “must read” (and I recommend – once in a while – tackling it in one sitting); but Chapter Ten especially intrigues me. Jesus describes himself as The Gate. He talks about life, “real and eternal,” “more and better life than (we) ever dreamed of.” He affirms his identity as “The Son of God,” And he does another exceptional job of ticking off the authorities.
Jesus goes on to talk about “Sheep that are not of this sheep pen,” and about his long-term vision for “one flock and one shepherd.” Is he talking about Jews and Gentiles? Is he looking ahead to today’s Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Catholics et al? Do his words apply to Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and more…?
And exactly when do these sheep that are “not of this sheep pen” all “listen to (his) voice,” and begin to be “one flock” with “one shepherd?” What’s that going to look like? At what point will Jesus “bring them also”? Does it have to be now? Must it be here on earth, during this lifetime?
“There is more than enough room in my Father’s home,” Jesus said in John 14:2. “If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?”
Anyway, this kind of talk was way too much for the religious leaders of Christ’s day, and they responded with, “He is raving mad. Why listen to him?”
Or, as The Message vividly paraphrases the text, “He’s crazy, a maniac—out of his head completely. Why bother listening to him?”
BLAME JESUS! This is the Jesus who gets inside my head and my heart and stirs things up so deliciously. And I find myself challenged – by Jesus – with questions that are significantly more difficult than those posed by regular people.
In fact, pretty-much every time I’m accused of questionable theology, crimes against right doctrine, not being a “Bible-believing Christian,” “Coming across like a conservative,” or “Getting a little liberal there, aren’t you Derek?” those times are always because of scripture; and it’s because of writers like John; and – most of all – it’s because of the thoughts and ideas JESUS challenges me with!
If you want to blame anyone for my struggles around the margins of orthodoxy, then blame JESUS; he’s the one who makes me wonder out loud the most often.
Your fellow traveller, and always a “Pilgrim in Progress” – DEREK
Hi, Derek,
I joyfully remember when, as an active member of the Men’s Room, we studied the entire book of John. It was a revelation and you are so right The Jesus revealed to us in John makes us look at our individual theologies outside the proverbial box. It really is all about Jesus.
I responded to your posting about political divisiveness and I told you I’m looking forward to the retreat in Brooksville. I need something like that very much.
From the dry cleaner’s message board (that I’ve referred to before) “Don’t you wish that your mouth had a backspace key?”. That’s a zinger!
Peace and Blessings!
Henry
Hi, Henry –
Yes, saw your comment, thanks. And I’m glad you’re heading to the men’s retreat where I’m speaking. Should be a great weekend.
Always good to hear from you. Peace, Blessings and Promise – DEREK
absolutely great stuff. i myself have been the ‘victim’ of our Savior’s intentional sabotaging of my comfortable nest of securely laid and ‘completely unassailable’ doctinal stances.
like a mad bomber, Jesus shows me just who’s boss and that the One who IS the Word knows the Word better than I will ever comprehend, this side of Glory that is.
Humility to know when you’re sure you are right, you could also be as surely wrong. I’d like to see more of that in churches these days.
mike
Thanks, Mike. Jesus keeping me off balance – it’s the story of my life!
I concur! Permission to ” mess with my theology” granted! I think the whole premise of sin and forgiveness requires growth and abstract thinking. As in, “we cannot change the events of the past, but He can forgive our betrayals which change the present”. Yet, being G-d, He doesn’t stop with removing pain, but wants to put his signet ring on our finger, thereby authorizing us with His stamp of approval for ourselves, and to spread His blessing to others. How does one, who lets this story in, remain an enemy: of oneself, others, or such a kind and generous Father?
Thanks for this excellent comment.
I had to go back and read the post (as it’s from 2013 and when we still lived in Florida!). So thanks a bunch for the prompt – I enjoyed reading it again! I find myself still in the same position, and on the same journey, and learning many of the same lessons.
Peace and blessings – Derek
Glad to find your old news. It was right on time for me!