Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27

How willing are we to serve in Jesus’ name?
As I was dwelling on the Parable of the Good Samaritan, I began thinking about the actions of all of the persons involved in this passage of scripture. And, I wondered, would I do differently, walking in their shoes?
The lawyer was an expert in Jewish religious teachings of Mosiac law. Eternal life was a current topic of religious debate. He thus answered Jesus’ question by stating the Jewish Shema, a Hebrew text consisting of three passages from the Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 6:4, 11:13–21; Numbers 15:37–41) and beginning “Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one.” It forms an important part of Jewish evening and morning prayer and is used as a Jewish confession of faith.
He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind
(from Deut 6:5) and 'Love your neighbor as yourself.”(from Leviticus 19:18 - “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”)
Jesus responded, “You have answered correctly - do this and you will live.”
(Leviticus 18:5 “Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the LORD.”)
Yes, Jesus died to bring salvation to the world, but this does not absolve us from loving God with all of our being, and loving our neighbor, even as Jesus loves.
We can readily identify with the man - everyone; mankind - at the mercy of the world, who was attacked, beaten and robbed. Mankind has a history of descending. From Genesis to Revelation, we get a picture of descent, especially if Satan has his way with us. Satan: robber, murderer. Taker, of lives. What will be left? Sin! Robbers and thieves act out, “What you have is mine, if I can take it from you.”
The priest and Levite represent ritualism and ceremonialism. Perhaps they tended to think, “What I have is mine, and I am going to keep it.” They were a privileged class. There were many rules & regulations governing them. For example, they had to dress a certain way, and carry out very specific actions as worship. They were not to defile themselves, such as by contact with a corpse. Priests could not even attend a burial except of a close relative. Was the man possibly dead? They knew the dangers, and avoided them. Wouldn’t you?
The Samaritan embodies the concept, “What I have is yours if I can help you.” I found these words from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary:
“It is lamentable to observe how selfishness governs all ranks; how many excuses men will make to avoid trouble or expense in relieving others. But the true Christian has the law of love written in his heart. The Spirit of Christ dwells in him; Christ's image is renewed in his soul. The parable is a beautiful explanation of the law of loving our neighbour as ourselves, without regard to nation, party, or any other distinction. It also sets forth the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward sinful, miserable men.”
Ritualism, ceremonialism, and legalism could not save the man, nor nor can it save mankind. The question is not whether we will have eternal life, but whether that life will be with God, rather than with Satan. Jesus, through the Grace of God, offers salvation. Having chosen Jesus, then, let us embody fully this example: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.” (John 10:7, NKJV)

One of the most enduring passages of Biblical text is the 23rd Psalm, picturing the Lord as the Good Shepherd, leading His flock in the paths of righteousness. Jesus affirms this image in the passages found in John Chapter 10. “I am the Good Shepherd,” He proclaims.
Two particular dangers are described here. First the threat from without the sheepfold: thieves, robbers and wolves. They actively prey upon the flock.
Secondly, the danger from within: the hireling, the supposed caretaker who fails the flock in the time of need.
The Good Shepherd, however, is a constant protection in the face of all dangers. He is there for the sheep, no matter what may threaten the flock. There is an implied on-going relationship, such that the sheep and the shepherd know each other well. They hear his voice, and recognize it as a familiar, protective presence among them: they have heard it often. The shepherd is not an absentee caretaker. Likewise, the shepherd recognizes each individual in the flock. In fact, verse 14 stresses the fact that the shepherd and sheep know each other, know what to expect from each other, something that comes only from a long-term, close relationship, based upon caring about the welfare of the flock.
The hireling does not posess these caring, protective qualities. In times of danger, the flock is left defenseless. Nor, does it seem, that the hireling notices individual needs or concerns. There is no sacrifice, no true involvement in the welfare of the flock, the object of his employment.
We recognize the role of Jesus, the Messiah, within these passages, but do we extend these principles to the Lord’s flock at large?
He was, after all, applying these principles to not just sheep, but to people. And, as such, we fill many roles, including that of the shepherd. How well do we know the “sheep of His flock?” Do we know their voices, their needs and concerns. Do they know ours? Do we share together, pray together, worship and commune as a coherent unit?
Do we value leadership that will stand up to the dangers from both without and within? When times get tough, is that leadership - you, me, pastors and managers - willing to stay the course for the benefit of all? Jesus says, in effect, “I am for you, and with you, whatever it takes.”
He will go with us, even into the valley (23rd Psalm) where food and water may be found. Yes, we have to leave the fold at times.
Finally, Jesus closes this passage by extending the benefits of the enfolded flock to those outside the fold. Are we willing to undertake that “shepherding?”
May 3, 2009