This week we begin worship with:
I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
There exists a sport called pigeon battles. Competitors own a roost and care for a flock of pigeons. During a battle, the opponents release their respective flocks, which intermingle in seemingly a choreographed flight, but then using their voice and their whistle, they call the flock back to the roost and count the result. If they have more birds than at the start of the battle, they are declared the winner.
The fold does not determine the flock. Rather it is the voice of the Shepherd. In our verse today, our Good Shepherd the LORD Jesus Christ explains in parable to a very exclusive Jewish audience that it will be His voice that will unite those that will listen into a single flock.
That voice must be heard over the din of life. Pigeon battles are not fought in a peaceful and quiet field. They are fought in the clamor of the city. The competitor's voice must be heard over the horns, the cars, and the voices of thousands.
For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
Our Teacher's voice is here, right behind us, responding to our cry for help, and guiding us back to the path and back to the fold.
No comments:
Post a Comment