Our readings for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 26th, are below. For a combined link to read them online, go here.
- John 10:1-10
- Acts 2:42-47
- Psalm 23
- 1 Peter 2:19-25
Our readings for today revolve on Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Like him, we are called to take care of others, rely on God, and sometimes to also be a sacrificial lamb who lays down his life for other sheep.
- Jesus is the good shepherd. He is also the door or the gate into the sheepfold. All who came before him are thieves and robbers. The sheep will not follow them, but will follow Jesus. He brings them out and leads them. He knows them and they know him. The religious leaders before he came are bad shepherds.
- The Acts passage is at the end of Peter’s Pentecost sermon. These verses have been called “the marks of the true church,” which are the teaching of the apostles, fellowship with one another, the breaking of bread and praying. Where these are done in the proper Spirit, everyone is generous and praises God. They are in awe of the works of God among them, and draw others to them who are being saved.
- Psalm 23 is the famous psalm of the Lord as Shepherd. While done at many funerals, it is also a good prayer, affirmation, and resolution of faith in Christ as our guide and protection.
- Christians may be called upon to suffer while doing good. We see in 1 Peter that we have Christ as our guide in this also. By the wounds he suffered for us we are healed on many levels. As Jesus was called by the Father to suffer for us, so too are we called to suffer for doing good.
Blessings to all,
Rod