4th Sunday of Easter – Year A 3.5.20
Lectionary Readings
Acts 2 v42-47 Life among the Lord’s followers.
1 Peter 2 v19-25 The example of Christ’s suffering.
John 10 v1-10 Story of the sheep and the Shepherd.
Reflection Whose ‘voice’ do you trust?
In the passage from Acts we are told ‘that they spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other.’ (v42)
The newly baptised followers of Jesus, trusted Jesus’ friends, the ‘apostles’ to teach them how to live in a new way. A way based on love and forgiveness, justice and mercy, not power, status, and wealth.
These apostles were until a few weeks before, followers, sheep to Jesus’ shepherd. Now they have taken on the role of under shepherd and recognise that they have a responsibility to encourage others to join them and share in this new life, sharing a new covenant, based on the Kingdom of God values taught by Jesus.
In the letter of Peter, Peter acknowledges that these early followers of Christ are suffering from persecution by family, friends, employers and the wider community. Peter urges them to follow the example of Jesus in responding in non violent ways. By showing the same courage in adversity, thereby breaking the cycle of wrong and revenge, that breeds hatred; by acting with kindness and thoughtfulness towards those who would be cruel to them.
Peter then goes on to quote from the ‘suffering servant’ passage from the prophet Isaiah; (v22-25)
(Is. 53 v3-9) urging us all to follow the voice and example of the true shepherd.
In the passage from John’s gospel we read: ‘The sheep know their shepherd’s voice, He calls each of them by name and leads them out’ (10v3).
‘He leads them out’ to new pastures, lush green grass = a heavenly banquet = abundant life.
We live in a world of ‘voices’ competing for our attention.
Do we have the courage to follow a trusted voice?
Are we ready to humbly accept the love and security that He offers and then to enjoy ‘an abundant life’?
Bible quotations are from the Contemporary English Version.
Thanks to Mike Peck for submitting these reflections