Photo by...Photo by Louise Sacré on Unsplash
I'm sharing this journal entry from one of our sheep / shepherds for your encouragement and invite you to share your stories to keep us connected David
Thursday April 2, 2020: A journal entry:
JESUS WEPT.
A Morning mist of low cloud wrapped soft around the hills.
I read John 6 and tried to ponder on Jesus the living bread. But the mist beckoned and drew me outside, quickly enfolding me in its clammy embrace.
There was no pausing to choose direction. I headed straight up the hill blanketed in the foggy stillness, only birdcall echoing the inner certainty – she’s coming to pray.
Pray up the hill. I haven’t prayed up there for a while. I’ve prayed. But not there on God’s hill, my place of retreat.
At the summit, as cloud drifted and lifted, it was my heart that rained out its anguished plea, the cry for help with COVID19: LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER. Help us Jesus.
That was it. No wordy waffle. I perched on the rim of the damp bench, poised in grief and need; heart, mind and spirit turned to God, “Yet still do I praise you Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Living God.”
A lull then settled over me, like a mute button had been pressed to hush the turmoil of my distressed thoughts and wretched emotions concerning the plight of the world’s people. Wait. Be quiet!
Jesus wept. The words from last Sunday’s reading came to mind loud and clear.
33 When Jesus saw her crying, and the Judaeans who had come with her crying, he was deeply stirred in his spirit, and very troubled. 34 ‘Where have you laid him?’ he asked. ‘Master,’ they said, ‘come and see.’ 35 Jesus burst into tears. (John 11:33-35 NTE)
I too burst into tears, and as I wept, there at the top of the hill, I knew he was weeping with me. Weeping with all the world. Weeping for us all.
Turn to me. And I, turning, vision all awash, could see clearly, he was there. Feed my sheep. To this I shook my head, and thought, I’m no pastor. You are a minister of my word. Therefore, speak my word to others. Speak my word to one another. And suddenly understanding dawned. “You aren’t just saying this to me, are you? It’s your call to all of us: Feed your sheep. The responsibility is ours collectively.” And I pictured the scattered sheep, isolated from one another but belonging together and needing creative new ways of being church and speaking grace and hope to one another and others.
I plunged, then, down the hill, not following the worn paths but winding down the steeper slope, weaving through knee high weeds, around rocky mounds and patches of slippery flattened grass, to emerge at the wider base track.
Now is the time to forge new paths. Jesus is still the Way, the “base track” of my faith remains the same. It’s the network of familiar paths that represent how we have lived out our faith, that have fallen away, not God’s word or his kingdom, or his love.
I am thankful for this love that comes to us where we are: scattered sheep weeping in the mist of uncertainty. I’m thankful that Jesus wept and that his way isn’t set in stone. That he comes and calls us to discover a new and living way, today and tomorrow and the next day. Hallelujah! This is a new day! And the Jesus who weeps with us in our distress will renew us and lead us on beyond COVID19.
JESUS WEPT.
The autumn sun filtered a pale ray through the drifting grey. A reminder that the God who weeps, also sheds light as well as tears.
Our God searches for lost sheep
by Glenn Crouch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish (Matthew 18:14).
Read Matthew 18:10–14
Do you recall what God did after our parents ate the fruit way back in Genesis? God came down, walked in the garden and asked, ‘Where are you?’ (Genesis 3:8,9). They deserved death (Genesis 2:16,17), but rather than obliterating them and starting over, God searched for them. God called out to them. Sadly, our first parents didn’t turn to God; rather, they gave excuses. So, God listened patiently, explained the consequences and then he clothed them before removing them from the garden.
Our God does not sit on his heavenly throne, waiting for us sinners to come to our senses. He is not waiting for us to earn his forgiveness. No, he comes down and enters into our messiness. He comes searching for us. This is the good news of the incarnation – God becomes one of us. The amazing love of our God is seen in how far he goes so that we don’t perish (verse 14).
We all know family and friends, many of whom have been baptised, who have had a church upbringing, but who now seem far away. I encourage you to continue praying for them. Be assured that not only does our God hear us, but he is the God who searches for the lost. He will do mighty things to prevent even one of us from perishing.
Oh Father, thank you that you are indeed a God who searches. Thank you for finding me, and keep finding me when I go astray. Lord, I lift before you those who are dear to me and ask you to break through. Please find them and bring them to the cross of your dear Son. In his name, I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.
Bad shepherds do not escape justice
by Glenn Crouch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them (Ezekiel 34:11).
Read Ezekiel 34:1–16
Have you ever been in a situation where your church has let you down? Perhaps a Christian leader or mentor has failed you. Christian leaders are supposed to be shepherds who follow the example of the Good Shepherd, but what happens when they are wolves? Where is God when that happens?
In our passage today, we see God’s response to the religious and political leaders’ failure as shepherds of his people. In verse 2, they are condemned for putting themselves first. They eat and dress well (verse 3), but they do not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick (verse 4). They think they have gotten away with their mistreatment of the Lord’s people, but he sees all, and his justice will come (verse 10)!
And the really good news? God himself will get his feet dirty and search for his people, and he will look after them (verse 11). He will rescue them (verse 12) and gather them from different countries (verse 13). Oh, how good it is for God’s people to have the Lord God as their Shepherd (verses 14 to 16).
Do you also see how our Lord Jesus fulfils this prophecy? He is indeed our Good Shepherd. Put your trust in him.
You can also be assured that the promise of justice in verse 16 still applies.
For those of us in leadership, we need to heed the warning given in this passage and protect and serve his people.
Gracious Father, heal the hurt that is within me. Open my eyes to where I have hurt others, forgive me and help me make amends. Lead me to the rest that you offer, through your dear Son. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.
Jesus is the way to salvation
by Glenn Crouch
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved (John 10:9a).
Read John 10:1–10
This week, we will take a journey through Scripture to explore the theme of shepherds. Given that today is celebrated as Good Shepherd Sunday, where better to begin than the Good Shepherd himself, our Lord Jesus.
When I lived in Kalgoorlie, there was really only one way to drive to Perth. You would hop onto the Great Eastern Highway and head west. Now that I live in Esperance, there are multiple ways (once you get past Ravensthorpe) to get to Perth – check Google Maps. Sometimes the choice made is one of preference; at other times, my wife and I want to see our grandson as quickly as possible, so every minute saved matters!
This is not how salvation works. We don’t open an app and choose the fastest or most scenic route. Jesus is not standing there, waving his arms and crying out, ‘Pick me! Pick me!’ There is only one gate, and that is Jesus. All other ways are used by thieves and robbers (verse 8).
Jesus says, ‘I am the gate’, not just in this verse but also in verse 7, with the double Amen (translated as ‘very truly’). Jesus is quite serious here. How do we get peace with God? Through Jesus. There is no other way. Keep following the Good Shepherd. Keep pointing others to his cross.
Heavenly Father, forgive me for how easily I become distracted and take my eyes off your dear Son. Through your Holy Spirit, make me an obedient sheep who delights in following the Good Shepherd. In his name, I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.