This week, the readings go back to the teachings of Jesus when he called himself a Good Shepherd, who calls his sheep by name and leads them through life. Perhaps when the disciples heard this the first time, it was a nice image, but now, following the resurrection, it was something different. It was about Jesus the shepherd who had laid down his life for his sheep, Jesus the shepherd who had defeated evil and brought life from death. Now the disciples hear the Shepherd’s voice speak with new authority and power and listen even more attentively.
Jesus teaches in the Gospel today that he does not force his sheep to follow him, but calls them by name and leads those who are willing to follow. He offers his sheep the protection and goes out of his way to find them when they stray and to care for them when they are injured. “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life and no one will them out of my hand”.
Have you learned to recognize the voice of God calling you? Do you hear his words of guidance and comfort? Easter tells us that Jesus is alive, his spirit is here with us and he still speaks to us. As people who celebrate Easter, we need to listen for His voice and respond to it.
I love going into the kindergarten at 3.00 to pick up my daughter. Her little face looks so tired and worried when she comes out of the class room, but when she hears me call her name, she lights up! She knows my voice and can’t wait to run to me for a big hug and tell me all about her school day triumphs and failures. A child knows her parent’s voice from the time she is born and that voice stays with her through life, comforting, protecting, reprimanding and guiding.
In the same way, we need to learn to recognise our Father’s voice as he calls us to himself and guides us through life. Have you stopped to listen for God’s voice lately, through the words of the Bible, through prayer, through friends who speak His Word to you? Listen regularly. His voice is a voice of authority, backed up by the resurrection. Hear him call you by name and tell you that he loves you. Hear him give you words of guidance and correction as you follow him. Hear him reassure you that you need not fear for he gives eternal life and no one can snatch you out of his hand.
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any power, neither height nor depth, nor any thing else in all creation shall be able to separate us from the love of God found in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8.38-39
A N Z A C D A Y
Today we remember the soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who landed and fought on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey early on the morning of 25 April 1915 during the First World War (1914-1918). We remember their bravery and sacrifice, many of them never returning home from the war. Today we also remember with gratitude all men and women who have fought and died in all wars. May their sacrifice never be forgotten and may we continue to cherish the freedom that they fought for. May leaders everywhere work for lasting peace, true justice and understanding among people. May they come to know that true peace is the peace of Christ.
A Prayer for Anzac Day
O God, our ruler and guide,
in whose hands are the destinies of this and every nation,
we give you thanks for the freedoms we enjoy in this land
and for those who laid down their lives to defend them:
We pray that we and all the people of Australia,
gratefully remembering their courage and their sacrifice,
may have grace to live in a spirit of justice,
of generosity, and of peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Rev’d Beth Spence