Wednesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – John 10:1-21 (NLT)

The Good Shepherd and His Sheep

“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”

Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.

“The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”

When he said these things, the people were again divided in their opinions about him. Some said, “He’s demon possessed and out of his mind. Why listen to a man like that?” Others said, “This doesn’t sound like a man possessed by a demon! Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
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Morning Reflection:

What can I expect from Jesus, the Good Shepherd?

+ Acknowledgement – Jesus knows me personally; I am not simply one of many in the crowd. – “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (vs 10:3b)

+ Intimacy – Jesus gives me the ability to discern his voice from those of strangers who would steal, kill, and destroy me. – “They follow him because they know (recognize) his voice.” (vs 10:4b)

+ Satisfaction – Jesus gives me freedom, direction, protection, provision, and rest. – “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (vs 10:10b)

+ Devotion – Jesus loves me so much that he willingly died to save me. – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.” (vs 10:11)

Questions for consideration:

• Can you remember a time when Jesus called you personally to follow him? How did your life change as a result? Please explain.
• Can you remember a time when you had to make a choice to follow Jesus, or someone/something else? How did you decide? Please explain.
• How has your life been enriched by following Jesus? Please explain.
• Consider Jesus’ love for you; his willingness to die for you. How can you express your gratitude to him? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Lead me, Lord! Lead me in your righteousness; make your way plain before me. For it’s you, Lord, only you who keeps me safe and satisfies the deep longing of my soul. Amen.
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“Shepherd” – Amanda Cook | Brave New World

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen