Bible reading: John 10. 1-10
“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Meditation
Security issues and dealing with thefts are often a standard part of doing ministry in churches. The theft of lead from roofs has at times been a constant worry and a recent press article covered the finding of a stash of items taken from churches, many of which could not be traced back to their original location. In this reading, Jesus could almost have been a PCSO giving us security advice with this story which is, as usual with Jesus, drawn from the working life of his own day.
The sheepfold was the place of safety for the sheep; a place of rest during the darkness of the night where intentions could be disguised and thieves were at work. In the light of the day when people could be seen for what they were, there was no need to remain in the safety of the sheepfold and the sheep would follow their shepherd out from the fold to pasture.
In the course of John 10, Jesus describes himself both as the way in to the safety of the sheepfold and as the shepherd that the sheep know and trust to take them out to pasture. Jesus has the best interests of the sheep at heart providing safety and pasture in contrast to the thieves who come only to steal, kill and destroy. So, this is a pastoral story about providing pastoral care.
All work is to some extent pastoral. Even when we are not in the specifically caring professions, we still have a pastoral responsibility towards colleagues, team members, partners etc. So, are we legit or are we thieves? In other words, is our work focused on the nurture and care of those with whom we have contact or are we out to fleece them?
Prayer
Jesus, you are the good Shepherd leading us to pasture; may we seek to nurture those in our care. May our conversation be positive and uplifting. May we provide prompts, encouragement and ideas for personal development and change. May we encourage others in the use and development of their skills and abilities.
Focus our work on the nurture and care of those with whom we have contact. Make us pastors to our colleagues and customers.
Jesus, you are the way in to safety and salvation; may we seek to protect those in our care. May we do all we can to create secure environments in our workplaces from concern for health and safety to openness and honesty which enables others to voice what they are thinking and feeling.
Focus our work on the nurture and care of those with whom we have contact. Make us pastors to our colleagues and customers.
Jesus, you give to us life in all its fullness; may our work enhance the lives of others. Make us more aware of those for whom we work, their needs and services we provide to them. Make us those who provide services with a high level of customer care which maintains good relations.
Focus our work on the nurture and care of those with whom we have contact. Make us pastors to our colleagues and customers.
Blessing
Giving and receiving nurture and care, creating safe spaces, maintaining good relations and receiving life in all its fullness. May those blessings of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, rest upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
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Luxury - To You Who Gave Me Hope And Were My Light.
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