March 13: Jesus and the Pharisees: I Am the Good Shepherd
♫ Music:
Day 20 - Monday, March 13
Title: JESUS AND THE PHARISEES: I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Scripture: John 10:1–21
Then Jesus said, “Believe me when I tell you that anyone who does not enter the sheepfold though the door, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a rogue. It is the shepherd of the flock who goes in by the door. It is to him the door-keeper opens the door and it is his voice that the sheep recognise. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out of the fold, and when he has driven all his own flock outside, he goes in front of them himself, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will never follow a stranger—indeed, they will run away from him, for they do not recognise strange voices.”
Jesus gave them this illustration but they did not grasp the point of what he was saying to them. So Jesus said to them once more, “I do assure you that I myself am the door for the sheep. All who have gone before me are like thieves and rogues, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If a man goes in through me, he will be safe and sound; he can come in and out and find his food. The thief comes with the sole intention of stealing and killing and destroying, but I came to bring them life, and far more life than before. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd will give his life for the sake of his sheep. But the hired man, who is not the shepherd, and does not own the sheep, will see the wolf coming, desert the sheep and run away. And the wolf will attack the flock and send them flying. The hired man runs away because he is only a hired man and has no interest in the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know those that are mine and my sheep know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I am giving my life for the sake of the sheep.
“And I have other sheep who do not belong to this fold. I must lead these also, and they will hear my voice. So there will be one flock and one shepherd. This is the reason why the Father loves me—that I lay down my life, and I lay it down to take it up again! No one is taking it from me, but I lay it down of my own free will. I have the power to lay it down and I have the power to take it up again. This is an order that I have received from my Father.”
Once again, the Jews were in two minds about him because of these words, many of them remarking, “The devil’s in him and he’s insane. Why do you listen to him?”
But others were saying, “This is not the sort of thing a devil-possessed man would say! Can a devil make a blind man see?”
Poetry & Poet:
“Here in the Psalm”
by Sally Fisher
I am a sheep
and I like it
because the grass
I lie down in
feels good and the still
waters are restful and right
there if I’m thirsty
and though some valleys
are very chilly there is a long
rod that prods me so I
direct my hooves
the right way
though today
I’m trying hard
to sit at a table
because it’s expected
required really
and my enemies—
it turns out I have enemies—
are watching me eat and
spill my drink
but I don’t worry because
all my enemies do
is watch and I know
I’m safe if I will
just do my best
as I sit on this chair
that wobbles a bit
in the grass
on the side of a hill.
JESUS AND THE PHARISEES: I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD
The Gospel of John is well-known and often quoted. Chapter 10 contains layers of significant theological truths and has been a valued passage for generations of expositors. As I have meditated on these Scriptures, I did consider the many truths, but have constantly returned to a very personal reality found in this beloved picture of Jesus as the Good Shepherd—he calls us by name (verse 3).
Confronting the religious scholars of his day, Jesus references the well-known first century imagery of a flock of sheep who are owned, protected, and provided for by the shepherd. Not only were scenes of shepherds and sheep an essential part of the culture of the day, but Jesus also extends this metaphor to illustrate that the shepherd would even give his life for his sheep. What prophetic words! Jesus is clearly recalling such Hebrew Scriptures as Ezekiel 4:11-16 and Psalm 23. He underscores the very personal relationship between the sheep and their shepherd.
Our poetry for today likens us to being sheep, while our music repeats that we are known by the shepherd in a simple, calming, and affirming manner. For me, the most startling facet of today’s devotion, however, is the painting by my artist friend, Grace Carol Bomer. The motif of Jesus as the Good Shepherd has been a popular one since the second century, as it was found in the catacombs of Rome. But Grace Carol’s artwork in her “metaphorical abstraction” style does not portray an earthly, ordinary shepherd. Here, the Good Shepherd is both the shepherd AND the Lamb. Christ’s face is incised with a golden cross, as this Shepherd stands before a background depicting both earth and heaven. In this way, the artist is making the invisible visible. Such is the power of abstract art.
As I prayerfully read our Scripture, the statement that arrested me is, “He calls his own sheep by name.” I immediately recalled an experience I had at the time of my deepest despair and grief over the murder of our eldest son. As with all numinous experiences with God, it came in an expected place and manner. As I cried out to God, while sitting in the contemporary art museum of Vienna, “Can I go on living? Do I want to go on living with this pain?” I actually heard God call me by name. He revealed himself as the “original abstract artist” and told me that, "if I trusted in Him, he would restore the broken pieces of my heart and soul and make something beautiful out them.” I will never forget hearing God clearly saying, “Dianne”—he called me by name! I bowed in prayer and worshiped my God, and in that worship, I knew my healing had begun. It was a life-changing experience.
Christ, our Good Shepherd, promised that he came to “bring life, and far more life than before.” This abundant life is promised to those who follow the Shepherd’s call. This life is not about having stuff, but having peace, having joy, and having God. We were made to thrive at every level of our being human. This comes from totally surrendering to follow our Good Shepherd. During this Lenten season, join me in renewing this commitment to follow him.
Prayer:
Good Shepherd, you know us by our name and our identity is not hidden from you. Gather us to yourself as a shepherd gathering the sheep, that we might know your Name. Lord in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Amen.
–––Derived from the Church of Scotland liturgy)
Dr. Dianne Collard
Alumna of Cook School of Intercultural Studies
Biola University
Founder of ArtsCharlotte in North Carolina
For more information about the artwork, music, and poetry selected for this day, we have provided resources under the “About” tab located next to the “Devotional” tab
About the Translation of the Bible for the 2023 Lent Project:
J.B. Phillips New Testament Translation of the Bible
J.B. Phillips (1906-1982) was well-known within the Church of England for his commitment to making the message of truth relevant to today's world. Phillips' translation of the New Testament brings home the full force of the original message. The New Testament in Modern English was originally written for the benefit of Phillips' youth group; it was later published more widely in response to popular demand. The language is up-to-date and forceful, involving the reader in the dramatic events and powerful teaching of the New Testament. It brings home the message of Good News as it was first heard two thousand years ago.
https://www.biblegateway.com/
About the Artwork:
Lamb of God (with details)
Grace Carol Bomer
2022
Oil and beeswax on gold leaf panel
24 x 24 in.
Jesus’ claim to be the Good Shepherd is another of the seven “I am” declarations regarding his identity. This painting attempts to show who Jesus is and his sacrifice for his sheep. He is “The Lamb of God” from heaven who takes away the sin of the world. Isaiah 40:11 (NIV) declares: “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather his lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” The image of the Good Shepherd is the one of most common symbolic representations of Christ found in early Christian art found in the catacombs of Rome. The form of the image showing a young man carrying a lamb around his neck was borrowed from an older pagan image called a kriophoros, translated from the Greek as the "ram-bearer," a figure commemorating the sacrifice of a ram. By the fifth century, the figure took on the appearance of the conventional depiction of Christ as the Good Shepherd. The artist has also incorporated other "hidden" abstracted details within the painting including a golden cross and Christ on the cross.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Shepherd
About the Artist:
Grace Carol Bomer was born in Alberta, Canada, and pursued a career in teaching before she became a professional painter. Moving to North Carolina to study art at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, Carol established her Soli Deo Gloria Studio there. As an abstract expressionist characterized by sumptuous color, textures, and palpable light, Bomer seeks to explore themes that center around “the human condition surprised by the grace of God.” She is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for her art. Her work has been featured in numerous solo and juried exhibitions, and is held in many public, private, and corporate collections, including Wachovia Bank, Westinghouse, Holiday Inns, Inc., and Cessna Corp.
https://gracecarolbomer.com/
About the Music: “The Good Shepherd” from the album Come Down O Love Divine
Lyrics:
I Am the Good Shepherd
I lay down My life for you
Enter in, enter in, enter in
I Am the Good Shepherd
As the Father knows Me, I know you
I know you, I know you, I know you
And no one can take you away
And no one can take you away
You are the Good Shepherd
You lay down Your life for me
Enter in, enter in, enter in
You are the Good Shepherd
As the Father knows You, You know me
You know me, You know me, You know me
And no one can take You away
And no one can take You away
And no one can take You away
And no one can take You away
About the Composer:
Steven Shaw is a contemporary Christian singer-songwriter. He and his wife are worship leaders in Orange County, California.
https://misfitministry.com/
https://anewband.bandcamp.com/
About the Performer:
Fernando Ortega (b. 1957) is an evangelical Christian singer-songwriter and worship leader, heavily influenced by traditional hymns, as well as his family’s New Mexico heritage. He is noted both for his interpretations of many traditional hymns and songs, such as “Give Me Jesus,” “Be Thou My Vision,” and “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty.” Much of his current inspiration comes from the North American Anglican liturgy. It is from his heritage and classical training at the University of New Mexico that Ortega derives his sound, embracing country, classical, Celtic, Latin American, world, modern folk, and rustic hymnody. From the late 1970s to the mid-1990s, he served in music ministry at a number of churches in New Mexico and Southern California.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Ortega
http://www.fernandoortega.com/
About the Poetry and Poet:
Sally Fisher (b. 1939) is a poet and the author of The Square Halo (Abrams), a book about art. Her poems have appeared in Field, Poetry East, The Threepenny Review, Margie, Chelsea, Shenandoah, and many other journals and anthologies. She has published two books for children and The Square Halo, a book about art for adults. Her commentaries have appeared on NPR's All Things Considered.
https://www.pw.org/directory/writers/sally_fisher
https://www.thesunmagazine.org/contributors/sally-fisher
About Devotion Author:
Dr. Dianne Collard
Alumna of Cook School of Intercultural Studies
Biola University
Founder of ArtsCharlotte in North Carolina
Dianne B. Collard received her M.A. and D.Miss from Biola’s School of Intercultural Studies. She and her husband have been missionaries for thirty-seven years, primarily in Europe. She currently serves as the Europe Ministries Director of A.C.T. International. Living in Charlotte, North Carolina, she ministers to local artists when she is not in Europe. She is the author of I Choose to Forgive: a Personal Journey with God Expanded Version). She is blessed with three children, five granddaughters and now, a beautiful great-granddaughter.