Arulvakku

26.04.10 THIEVES

Posted under Reflections on April 25th, 2010 by

"Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers." …

A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. (Jn 10:1-10)

 

Familiarity between the shepherd and the sheep is the underlying factor. The shepherd spends most hours of most days in their company. The shepherd knows their individual characters, markings, likes and dislikes. The sheep, in turn, know him. They know his voice.  They trust his voice. They will not listen to others (thieves). Familiarity, constant and continuous presence with the sheep, makes the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep.

Those who are not familiar and those who do not spend time with the sheep are thieves. They are time bound. They come for their own advantage. They come to steal, slaughter and destroy. They do not come through the gate. They climb over.

Those who are concerned about the sheep and care for the sheep and available for the sheep and approachable by the sheep are shepherds. But those who are selfish and concerned about their own advantage and gain are thieves.

 

  

25.04.10 SHEEP & SHEPHERD

Posted under Reflections on April 24th, 2010 by

My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one." (Jn 10:27-30)


The qualities or the qualifications or the specifications of the sheep and the shepherd are given in this short passage. 

Jesus’ sheep:

Shepherd (Jesus):

FATHER:

 

FATHER AND I ARE ONE

So, those who hear Jesus’ voice are safe for ever. He will look after them. Even death, the last enemy, cannot harm them. The sheep belong to him and they follow him so no one can take them away from him.

Same way the shepherd also knows them. Knowledge is not an intellectual knowledge but and experiential, physical knowledge.

Underlying in all these qualities we find that there relationship at the bottom of it. All these qualities are factors/elements of relationship. When there is relationship then there is safety and security and eternal life. And when this relationship is total then there is identity (Father and I are one).

  

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