4th Sunday of Easter

Readings: Acts 9v36-end; Psalm 23; Revelation 7v9-end; John 10v22-30.

Let us pray: May the words of my mouth and the thoughts and meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.

A Word: The psalm tells us that we have a shepherd who takes good care of our bodies and souls through each and every day of our lives. For we have a shepherd who walks with us through every difficulty and danger in life. A shepherd who is leading us to everlasting life to the place where we shall be invited to join the Messiah’s celebration feast. In Revelation we hear about everlasting life in the vision of heaven. For it is a place full of many people robed in white, all standing before the throne of God and his Lamb. A people gathered from every nation, tribe and language; and all of them washed clean by the Lamb of God. A people given the water of everlasting life; who in heaven will never again feel hunger, thirst or sorrow. A people who will worship and praise God alongside the angels, the four living creatures and the elders.

But, who are these people? In John we hear Jesus say that his sheep will hear his call and follow him because they believe in him and belong to his flock. Jesus says: that to these sheep he will give eternal life; for they will not perish; and no-one can snatch them from out of his hand.

But how do we hear the call of Jesus? Well some are like St Paul and meet Jesus face to face. Others are like John who was shown the visions of heaven. Others are like the writers of the psalms, they feel inspired from deep within themselves, with ideas and words given to them by God. There are so many ways that God may speak to us and call us into his kingdom and service. Today in the Book of Acts we hear of yet another way that God may speak to us. For after Tabitha died and was laid out in readiness for burial and funeral rites, messengers were sent to ask Simon Peter to come. Like all good pastors, Peter listened to what everyone had to say about her and he heard that Tabitha was a gentile Christian woman who was well loved because of all the care and help she gave to others. So, when Peter went in to pray for Tabitha, he was inspired and empowered by God, to call her back to life and returned her to those who loved her. The news of this most amazing miracle was spread far and wide by those who knew she had died and been returned back to life; and in hearing about this miracle, many heard the call of God and were brought to faith in Jesus.

For God can get his call through to each and everyone of us; and when we receive it, if we belong to Jesus’ flock, then we learn to follow Jesus; and in learning to follow Jesus, we are hearing the call of God, all the way to heaven.

Let us Pray: Almighty God, our ever loving and merciful Father, we thank you for giving your Son Jesus to be our shepherd, the good shepherd who in love for us, laid down his life to take away our sins before taking it back up and rising again. Keep us under Jesus’ protection and give us grace to seek heavenly things and follow in Jesus’ footsteps, so we may be raised from the death of sin to the life of righteousness. Amen

Thanks for joining us today.