Epiphany: Thursday, January 10, 2008

Old Testament Lesson

Jeremiah 23:1-8

We see in this passage the Lord condemning the false shepherds of His people. Those would be the ones that are put in charge of the sheep, but instead of thinking about the sheep, think only of themselves and what they can get from the sheep. But, this is what the Lord says in that situation. He will take care of the sheep. If the shepherds will not do it, He will.

He will look after His own. Right now, in this moment, He is working for you good. He is working to grow you closer to Himself and more in line with who He wants you to be. The only question is then, will we follow where He is leading?

New Testament Lesson

Colossians 2:8-23

We see in this passage what matters most is Jesus Christ. It is not sometimes the things that we think are most important, but it is the primacy of Jesus in our lives. That is what matters most, and that is what should come first. We can get so busy chasing so many things that are not as important. We can spend so much time focusing on things that are trivial in the big picture. But, what comes first is this: Jesus.

Paul says that if we are alive in Him, that must be our focus and what we look to first. Today, may He be our Lord and guide of our lives.

Gospel Lesson

John 10:7-17

Remember a few seconds ago when we read how God condemned the false shepherds that were only interested in themselves? In this passage, we see what a true shepherd looks like. He lays down His life for the sake of the sheep. He is more concerned with their go do than His own. He is more focused on helping them, than He may be in His own interests. He lays down His life for His sheep.

That is what Jesus did for us, and that is what He calls us to do for one another. Lay down our lives for each other. And in doing that, we will find His life. For in surrendering our lives to Him, we find life greater than we could ever hope to find anywhere else.