Live Greater Jesus Plays Night Games…

Apr 14, 2008

“When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice” – John 10:4

May the Lord give you his peace!

I remember one of my favorite things to do when I was little was to play night games. Every summer night in our neighborhood all the kids gathered to play kick the can, hide and go seek and all the other great games that kept us busy into the night. I can remember my favorite hiding place and pretty sure to this day that no one has ever found me in it. After a few hours of playing we all waited for the loud yells into the night from our parents telling us all to come inside. More often then not, our parents would not say our names but just yell, “Alright, game is over, time to come in!” And that left us in our hiding places trying to distinguish and understand whose mom was calling. After a certain period of time, we all started to recognize the call of our own parents just simply by their voice. Whenever I heard mom’s voice I knew it was time to come in.

As we are now in the fourth week of the Easter Season we hear today of the story of the Good Shepherd. This story is perhaps one of the most popular and most identifiable titles or characteristics of Jesus. He is our Shepherd and we are his sheep.

Most people in the heartland or even America don’t understand the significance of real life shepherds. It is true and even proven that when different shepherds and flocks of sheep come together in a pasture, one shepherd can go to one side of the pasture and another can go to other and while the sheep are mixed they can actually call their sheep to themselves and the sheep will instantly separate, heeding the voice of their shepherd. They know their shepherds voice and he knows his sheep, and they follow him.

What a beautiful metaphor to symbolize the way Jesus calls and leads those whom are His flock. Do you hear His voice? Do you follow His lead?

In our wounded and confused culture, I often wonder whose voice we are all following and what flock we are a part of. In the people I see and meet it is somewhat clear what flock they are in. There is the MTV flock whose lives are consumed with how they look, who they are dating, and how much money the have. There is the sport or athletes flock whose lives are consumed with practicing, playing, living, and dying the game that ultimately becomes their god. Among many others, there are also the social flocks out there that are consumed with popularity, parties, facebook, dating, and everything that goes with living the life of our culture.

My friends the flocks we find ourselves in are keeping us from hearing the voice of our true Shepherd and friend Jesus Christ. During this Easter seasons I m not here to condemn but with great joy and hope announce to you that HE is calling and is ever present to you in your life to lead and guide you.

This Easter Season amidst our noisy culture, stop to here our Shepherds call. Stop to hear and understand that He is way, the truth, and the life. Recognize His voice, follow His lead, and have great Faith in the life he is calling you to live!

As mom called for us to come in after night games, Jesus is calling us to follow Him. Heed His voice and be a part of the flock that lasts forever.

God Bless You,

Rusty

Question of the week: Where in your life to you see Jesus the Shepherd calling you?