Today’s readings: Click on today’s date at http://www.usccb.org/bible/
Like you, Jesus
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Fourth Sunday of Easter
John 10:11-18
Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep … This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”
This is a mystery but certainly true. When I lay down my life for others, I will take it up again. It is a commandment as well as a mystery. God always gives me the power to do what he tells me to do. I have “power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.”
So this is about Jesus. And it is about each of us. It is always possible for me to give, and it is always possible to give more than I already gave.
Not that I’ve figured this out for myself. I know a few folks who have, but I still suffer from fear and live out of the myth of scarcity more than the truth of abundance. I am inspired by others, and want to follow their example. But then I sit and do little. I believe, Lord. Help my unbelief.
Jesus didn’t help everybody. He didn’t throw every starfish back in the sea. But when someone asked, he said YES.* And he put himself in place, in position to be asked.
Jesus healed many, all of whom later died. And as he said in another context, “The poor you will always have with you.” But neither of those facts held back his compassion. He touched lepers with love, and he smiled on children with love, and he commanded demons to leave with love. Not love for the demons. But love for those foaming-at-the-mouth violent crazies who scared everyone else away. The children of God.
Jesus recognized everyone as one of the children of God. Everyone everyone everyone. Love your enemies. Live every moment IN ORDER TO love. And never worry. God will care for me like he cares for the birds in the air and the lilies of the field. Do they worry?
Jesus walked through all the open doors. In the famous passage and painting, he stands at the door and knocks. When it opens, he comes through. That is his example, his model for me. He leads me to doors, and bids me knock. When they open, he invites me to walk right in with him. Why not walk through every open door?
Look! What love you have bestowed on us, Father. We can be called children of God because we are. Like you, Jesus. As we see you as you are, make us like you.
 *A friend of mine is hurting. She is a nurse, an author, a wife, a mom … Here’s her story. Take a look:  http://www.gofundme.com/nursewilma
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1390
