Thursday 30 July 2026

Psalm 90

Background
Continuing yesterday's story about sheep in John 10:1-5, this section picks up a second image that is applied to Jesus. He says: "I am the good shepherd" (vs 11, 14). The "I am" phrase references the story of Moses at the burning bush when God calls himself "I am" (Exodus 3). The divine presence now fully permeates the person of Jesus. God’s role as ‘shepherd’ (leader) of Israel (Psalm 23:1) is now taken by Jesus.

A ‘good shepherd' is never a tyrant. Rather, he has a deep commitment of care for the sheep he owns, that is, Israel (v. 11). He protects the flock when they are attacked by wolves, if need be, sacrificing his life to keep the sheep safe.

Jesus’ shepherding role, however, is not restricted to Israel. He is the shepherd of one flock that comprises believers from both Jewish and non-Jewish backgrounds. God’s purpose in Jesus is to release into history through the Church a vision of ‘one flock, one shepherd’ (v. 16). Humanity as a whole is enabled to become a single fellowship of mutual love, truth and peace, enjoying unbroken communion with God into eternity.

So what ‘wolves’ threaten the formation of such a flock? Obviously, violence and human wickedness. To deal with this Jesus must uniquely demonstrate in his earthly life a divine love that transcends our death-dealing hatreds and selfishness. Jesus’ challenge, then in perfect harmony with the will of God, with total self-control, and freely taking an initiative, is to 'lay down’ his life. He is not to be forced into suffering and death by human cruelty. He will lovingly choose to identify with the most obscene form of death – judicial murder by crucifixion. But filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus is able to take up again a life that is truly eternal. Death is defeated (v. 18).

To Ponder:

• What a struggle the unity of Jesus' Church is for Christians to achieve! Are there opportunities to be grasped for deeper fellowship between Christian denominations in your locality? What could you do to help to further that agenda?
• Christian faith includes the conviction that even in death we are not separated from the life-giving love of God. The full meaning of that eludes us. Is talk of eternal life a form of madness? Or, in the light of the story of Jesus as a whole, is it a credible conviction that we might consider sympathetically?

Prayer
Good Shepherd, watch over us today In all we face and experience. Never forsake us and journey with us always. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd David Deeks
David is a Methodist supernumerary presbyter, living in Bristol.