The True Shepherd's Call #1910

The True Shepherd's Call In the stillness of the night, His voice pierces the veil of darkness, echoing through the valleys and hills. "I am the door of the sheep," He declares with unwavering authority. The gateway to refuge, the passage to eternal peace. All who came before were but shadows, thieves, and robbers, their promises hollow and their intentions dark. Yet, in His light, truth shines brilliantly, revealing the path to salvation. He is the Good Shepherd, the one who lays down His life for the sheep. Unlike the hireling, who flees at the first sign of danger, His heart is bound to His flock. He knows each one by name, their burdens, their fears, their hopes. His love is a protective mantle, wrapping them in warmth and safety. As the Father knows Him, so does He know the Father, a divine connection that transcends understanding. In this knowledge, He willingly sacrifices, laying down His life, that they might live. His voice, a melody of grace, calls out to the scattered flock. "Come," He beckons, "there will be one flock and one shepherd." Unity in His name, a family forged in the fires of His love. This command He has received from the Father, a mission of unparalleled significance. In the quiet moments of reflection, the apostle's words resonate deeply. "I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." The pursuit of worldly gains fades into insignificance against the backdrop of His glory. For Him, all things are surrendered, considered as rubbish, that the treasure of Christ might be gained. In the tapestry of faith, the Good Shepherd stands as the central figure, His sacrifice the thread that binds us together. His call, clear and compelling, draws us into the fold, where love, unity, and peace abound. The door remains open, the Shepherd vigilant, and the promise of eternal life ever present. In His voice, we find our true home, in His embrace, our eternal rest. -Steven G. Lee (June 24, 2024)