Weekly Bible Notes, 11th May 2003
Easter 4
Year B, White
| First Reading: | Acts 4:5-12 |
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| Second Reading: | John 10:11-18 | |
| Psalm: | Psalm 23 | |
| Commentary: | ||
| Meditation: | A Promise | |
| Prayers: | Prayers for Sunday and the week ahead |
Opening Verse of Scripture—John 11:25
Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life.
Collect Prayer for the Day—Before we read we pray
Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life: raise us, who trust in Him, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness, that we may seek those things which are above, where He reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
First Bible Reading Acts 4:5-12
The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (This is the word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God)
Second Reading John 10:11-18
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No-one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (This is the word of the Lord - Thanks be to God)
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters, He
restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no
evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Post Communion Prayer
Merciful Father; you gave your Son Jesus Christ to be the good shepherd,
and in His love for us to lay down His life and rise again: keep us always
under His protection, and give us grace to follow in His steps; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Commentary: I Am the Good Shepherd
The
ancient shepherd of Palestine or Asia Minor had to be tough, often working
in areas of wilderness with the accompanying dangers from wild animals and
sheep stealers. His chief role was to protect the flock, especially at
night, when they would often be rounded up into a small pen. The passage
from John 10 reflects this harsh world.
The shepherd was a common image used for rulers from ancient Egypt to Israel. It was an image of engaged leadership exemplified by the image of the shepherd king, David. Prophets, such as Ezekiel, complain about the ‘shepherds of Israel’ and their failure to care for the sheep.
John’s gospel appears to focuses on leadership within the community of faith. It too berates the failure of Israel’s spiritual leaders and attacks the ‘professionals’, who are in ministry for the job and not as a calling.
The message is clear. Without personal commitment to God there can be no real leadership within the church. It’s a reminder to all who seek to lead, in any walk of life, that they need real commitment to the cause and that they need to keep close to those they seek to lead.
John’s gospel also illustrates that the role of the true shepherd is not
only to be inward looking and care for the flock already in their charge,
but to be outward looking and bring in sheep who are not already part of the
flock. Sheep who might be very different from ourselves. Indeed, one way of
translating the words ‘good shepherd’ (
)
would be ‘beautiful shepherd. In Jesus we have a shepherd who is attractive
and good at His work. We should not be surprised then when people are drawn
and attracted to Him and in Him have their personal and specific needs met
by Him. And in Hebrew, the word for a "Shepherd" is
(Raah), from the verbal
root meaning to feed. It is variously translated through the Old Testament
as feed, shepherd, pastor, or herdsman.
Jesus’ way of winning people was to be attractive to them and to care and
provide for them, whatever their background or heritage. To lay aside by
choice His self ego, and become a door through which they could be nurtured
and enter into fellowship with God and each other. Just as Peter was called
by Jesus to feed and nurture His sheep, so are we. And in Jesus we have a
model which He invites us to follow. To be leaders and shepherds, caring,
feeding and nurturing for those in our community whatever flock they may
come from.
Meditation: A Promise
Jesus reveals that He willingly laid down His life in order
that we might be saved. His sacrificial love for us provides comfort and
nourishment in our lives. The 23rd Psalm becomes a personal promise through
our faith and love of Jesus Christ. As we learn to recognize our roles
within His flock, we learn that we have a growing responsibility to provide
this same sacrificial love, this same nourishment and protection to the rest
of the world. To build His kingdom means to be ready and available to
everyone. We are all one flock and we are all called to be Good Shepherds.
First United Methodist Church, New Mexico
Hymns (Mission Praise)
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Lead us heavenly Father, lead us, 400
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For I’m building a people of power, 151
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The king of love my shepherd is, 649
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Fill thou my life, 146
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I will sing the wondrous story, 315
Prayers for Sunday and the week ahead
Lord
Jesus Christ, you are the lamb that was slain, worthy to receive power and
wisdom and might, honour, glory and blessing, now and for evermore. Amen
Ever living God, help us to celebrate our joy in the resurrection of the
Lord and to express in our lives the love we celebrate. Grant this through
our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who we serve with our lives. Amen
Death is swallowed up in victory. O death where is your sting? Amen
1 Cor 15 v 54 - 55
The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great
Shepherd of the sheep, make you perfect in every good work to do His will;
and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be
among you and remain with you always. Amen
| First Reading: | Acts 4:5-12 |
| Second Reading: | John 10:11-18 |
| Psalm: | Psalm 23 |
| Commentary: | |
| Meditation: | A Promise |
| Prayers: | Prayers for Sunday and the week ahead |
| Intercessions | |
| Sermon: | Psalm 23: the message and structure PDF format |