Good Shepherd Reflections from John 10 Lectio Divina

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Last evening, during our house meeting, we turned to John 10 for our Lectio Divina. For those who do not know, Lectio Divina is an ancient form of prayer based upon reading and re-reading and listening to select portions of Scripture. The goal of Lectio Divina is to “listen.” So often, when we gather, we talk. We talk about what we think about Scripture; we talk about what we think about God; we talk about Jesus. It’s all good! But sometimes we would do well to simply … listen. Lectio Divina offers pilgrims an opportunity to take a break from the noise and simply listen to what Christ has to say to us through his Word. It is remarkable what one discovers when he/she simply spends some quality quiet time with the Word of God.

Last evening, we read and re-read John 10 as a group. We read the entire passage four times, and we spent some time in silence reflecting on specific questions for each reading, after each reading. Our Lectio Divina is a three part prayer/reading. We listen for “The Touch of Christ” during the first part of the reading/prayer. We listen for “How Christ the Word Speaks to Me” during the second part. Finally, during the third part of the reading/prayer, we search for what “Christ the Word Invites Me to Do.” The combination and dedication to Scripture, prayer, silence, and reflection results in a wonderfully refreshing way to read the and pray the Scriptures.

Last evening we spent a lot of time reading and praying John 10.1-18, in which Jesus says, “I Am the Good Shepherd.”

(ESV) 10:1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 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. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

It’s amazing how much content is contained in these eighteen verses. There is so much going on here, theologically speaking. I’m not so sure many would even notice how much Jesus is saying in these verses if a cursory reading was all they offered them. Last evening, after walking away from our Lectio Divina, I reflected on all that had been revealed to me in these eighteen verses. Jesus is saying so much. John 10:1-18 is a proclamation laden with theology that begets solid doctrine. Concentrated reflection upon this passage reveals important aspects of the faith, such as:

1. The uniqueness of Christianity; 2. The supremacy and sufficiency of The Christ; 3. The priceless investment of Christ into the Church; 4. The salvific nature and role of The Christ; 5. The authority of The Christ; 5. The exclusive nature of the faith; 6. The divine origins of the Community/Church; 7. The existence and role of Truth; 8. The existence and role of false shepherds. 9. The wolf. 10. The gate. Jesus’ Kingdom has a gate.

It is amazing how much scripture has to say to us. The above 10 points are all sourced from eighteen verses in John 10! Jesus is saying a lot, obviously! Our reading of Scripture, in this 60 second culture in which we live and work, is so often rushed. And our attention spans are shot through by decades of media commercials, multi-tasking, and seemingly good distractions! The spiritual discipline of setting aside quality time to actually read, pray, and listen to Scripture will result in a better understanding of the Bible. The Holy Spirit has so much to say to each one of us through Scripture. We need only give him the time and space to do so. Pray your Bible …

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• House Church, Lectio Divina, and Markan Sandwiches

• Midweek Meditation on Matthew 25:31-39

• A Good Day For Mourning

• Schleitheim Article V: Concerning Shepherds In The Church Of God.

• Are We Willing to Make Adjustments to Heed God’s Call?