e-vo for week of April 21

Dearest e-votees-

This week the texts are about sheep and lambs and shepherd. You will find the beloved 23rd Psalm as part of worship. May we all know our shepherd’s voice and respond and follow when called all to the glory of God.

Peace,
Karl

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22 At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; 26 but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. 30 The Father and I are one."

John 10:22-30, NRSV

We had a family in the neighborhood growing up. It was a big family. When it came time for dinner the father would step out in the backyard and let out a piercing whistle. The kids, wherever they were scattered in the neighborhood, would hear the sound and know it was time to go home. The kid’s knew their father’s whistle and they followed it.

The movie Babe is the marvelous story of a pig trying to live a sheepdog’s life. The sheep don’t know whether to trust this pig who is trying to give them directions. They finally agree to work with him when he speaks the sheep’s secret phrase “Baa, Ram, Ewe, Baa, Ram, Ewe, to your breed, your fleece, your clan be true, Sheep be true, Baa, Ram, Ewe”. (X-philes (fans of the X-Files) might even remember Scully muttering this under her breath as she and Mulder wandered through a creepy farm). The sheep aren’t sure who to trust until they hear the familiar phrase. The sheep knew their clan’s secret password and they followed it.

There are a multitude of voices calling out for our attention—some we recognize clearly and heed or ignore accordingly. Many say things that have some intrigue or appeal but we aren’t quite sure how to respond. Jesus says his sheep hear his voice. Jesus says he knows them. Jesus says that they follow him. Where do you hear Jesus’ voice in your life? Scripture? Baptism? Communion? Sermons? In times of prayer? We need to continue to go to those places. When we hear the shepherd’s voice we need to respond—to react—to abide (an important word in John)—to follow.

There are so many things that distract but one that is really needful. We need to hear Jesus’ voice. We need to drink in his words that are living waters. We need to rest in his truths and his promises. We need to be like Mary couched at Jesus’ feet choosing the one needful thing that will not be taken away from her. Mary knew her shepherd’s voice—she followed. Do we?—Will we?


God, help us rest in the truth that we are in your hands and nothing can snatch us away. Speak to us. Help us hear. Help us follow. All to your glory. Amen.