12/17/2019
How do we Christians view those of other denominations? How do the Christian churches of the East view those of the West, and vice versa? Why is it that the sheep presume that they can cull themselves when they do not own, but are themselves owned by the good shepherd? Jesus speaks of other herds that are not of the fold we know, and of all these herds being one flock; they are one flock because they follow one shepherd, not because they are of the same wool, or stature. Are we accepting of our shepherd’s other sheep?
“And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”
John 10:16 ESV
Are we afraid like the parents of the man who had been blind from birth, but was healed by Jesus? They were worried about how other Jews in their town would perceive them. Does it worry us that we might be thrown from our church, or arrested for heresy? Is our fear of other sheep, Christ’s other folds, so great that we will not answer questions regarding who healed us, but place that burden on our sons, and daughters? Is our fear of men so great that we begin to see them as our shepherds?
“Therefore his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."”
John 9:23 ESV
All who believe in Jesus belong to Him, the one shepherd, and yet we divide ourselves and choose to be intolerant of one another. I often wonder if we divide ourselves because we are truly different, or do we think we are different because we desire to divide ourselves. When it is springtime, the bulls in a herd of elk will fight for cows, and distribute them among themselves according to their own strength; gaining dominion over some number of them, and winning the right to increase themselves. Yet ultimately, God made them all didn’t He? He has dominion over every group... the entire herd.
So here we are today, herds of elk. What were once gentiles, and Jewish believers in the Bible, are now Catholics, Orthodox churches, and Protestants of every denomination. Paul recognized this separation, and saw the mystery of it when he wrote these words...
“This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power.”
Ephesians 3:6-7 ESV
Try as we might, men don’t have the authority to separate believers, or the churches, from Jesus. The bulls can move their cows to different valleys or herd them up new mountains, but in the end they are all still elk, and every one of them answers to the voice of Jesus. No matter how high we hold our heads, how mightily we fight, or how magnificent the antlers of faith are that we prance around displaying... in the end we all bow to Jesus. We have but one shepherd, one master, and belong to one flock, and as Paul says... though we are many branches we are of one root.
“do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.”
Romans 11:18 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, and for placing Him over the entire flock of believers. Thank you Holy Father for loving us so much that you would send Him to redeem us, and become our cornerstone, our root, so that the Church would be beautifully built, and each branch flourish and bear you fruit. Teach us Lord to be tolerant of one another, and find our common ground in Jesus as we seek spiritual nourishment. Speak to us of the day when Christ will return, and the churches will become One... all bearing His name, and answering to His voice... as it becomes His bride... one flesh with Him. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who scatters His sheep across many pastures, and yet places them all under the care of one shepherd. praised be your name for the Good Shepherd you have sent to care for us... your Son. Great are you our Holy Father who takes pleasure in watching from the mountain, as Jesus tends to us, and sends your sunlight for the grass, and rain to replenish the Streams, and wells. We worship you Father in our diversity. We lift up your name in all our languages, and hear your will for us with in one glorious tongue. In All of our differences we worship you, and Jesus Christ, and speak our prayers as one... in this way we demonstrate your immensity, and unbound nature. All glory is yours as your grace flows through Jesus and covers us all; the strong and weak alike. By faith we are all your servants by your will, and in Christ.
“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”
Romans 14:1-4 ESV
Rich Forbes