Reflection for 21st April 2024The Fourth Sunday of EasterGenesis 7.1-5,11-18; 8.6-18; 9.8-13. Acts 4.5-12. John 10.11-18.We are quite fortunate here to have sheep grazing so close by. But I wonder: have you ever tried walking up to a sheep? They look so cuddly and warm that it’s quite enticing to want to stroke one. But unless the sheep is used to human contact or knows you in some way, then they tend to walk off, don’t they?! And they don’t always run off at full pelt but sort of meander surreptitiously away, often while still eating. Which is kind of annoying, really, because you can never get really close to them, however stealthily you try!When Jesus chose the analogy of the sheep knowing their shepherd, he knew how well his hearers would understand this idea, as the area would have been covered in sheep at the time. A bit like Wales, really, only warmer. Christ referred to himself as the good shepherd, which would have reminded the disciples of King David, who himself was a good shepherd before being a great leader. We must remember, though, that good means well-skilled, not just decent or worthy. Jesus is skilled at caring for his people and loving them into His likeness. He will lead us and call each and every one of us by name to follow him.Jesus demonstrates his skill as a good shepherd not just in words but in actions, namely by laying down His life for us. Now, we know this. Three weeks ago, we celebrated Easter, a time of reflecting upon Jesus’ crucifixion and wondrous resurrection. We know the story so well, but do we? Have we really taken on board in our hearts and minds the immense magnitude of what God has done for us? Have we truly accepted that the outpouring of God’s love for all people has its highest point when Jesus, as the good shepherd, voluntarily lays down his life for his sheep? There is no higher expression of love than for the lover to go to death for the beloved’s sake. So that love and not sin or death have the final word.What's our response to this? Through worship and prayer? Yes, but what about our lives outside Sunday when we are in the world? Life can be difficult, as there are all sorts of pressures we can succumb to. Our culture pushes us into defining and securing our identity by judging us on what we have made for ourselves, how much we have achieved, and how “divine” and worthwhile we can be. Such a culture of self-making and individualism relies solely on the strength and willpower of the person. This results in relationships driven by the desire to protect ourselves: against gossip, against being unhappy, against real or imagined ulterior motives, and against those who do not live up to our standards. Just the other day, I saw an advertisement for Weight-watchers that defined success as having lots of friends, great food, and feeling confident. These are the messages being sent out by our media day in and day out. They're all about looking after number one and being successful.However, God will have none of this because He created us to become holy people, set apart from worldly ideas. In Acts, Peter says, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved." Even though humans have turned their backs on God, plunging deeper and deeper into themselves, God continues to provide for and relate to creation. His provision reaches its peak at the cross, where, beyond the shadow of a doubt, God’s identity is revealed. By dying for sinful and self-obsessed people, Christ demonstrates the power of God’s love for humanity—for a humanity that has slandered and rejected its God. Christ goes into death and carries our sin to assure that love—rather than lies, estrangement, and death—has the final word. In Christ, God’s love triumphs over death and opens the way to new life.When we turn to Christ, which we should do daily, we are assured that only Jesus, the good shepherd, has the ability to transform and guide his people through life, into death, and into new life. He will lead us and prompt us to make changes in our lives that ultimately bring glory to God. As Christians, we have the unique opportunity to mirror the love of Christ, not just for our own benefit but for everyone we meet, whether at home, work, or other activities. Indeed, as followers of Christ, we have a mandate to spread the amazing truth that Christ exists! To go out calling people, as Jesus puts it, the “other sheep that do not belong to this fold,” to repentance from their dead self-centred lives into a new life of freedom from sin and abundance beyond all imagination.Jesus is the Lord, our Great Good Shepherd. We follow Him as disciples because of our redemption by God’s loving grace. He will daily lead us by the power of the Holy Spirit as we make time to worship Him, to read the Bible, to be generous with all that we have, to be of service, as well as to pray and eat together. These are the holy habits of a disciple, of one who listens to Jesus’ voice and follows His commands. Will you take time this week to listen to Jesus? What holy habits will you take up in your discipleship over the coming days? Blessings and prayers, Emma
THE FLYFORDS COFFEE MORNINGIs on the Second Thursday of each month for all members of the community. We look forward to seeing you Anytime between 10am - 12.30pm at the FLYFORDS HALL, GRAFTON FLYFORD. An opportunity for a chat, a cuppa and cake with friends, in a safe environment. Plenty of room for parking and easy access to the hall. Simply come along on the day.Bring a friend - we look forward to seeing you!
