[This is one in a series of mid-week Reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during February 2021]
I am a regular visitor to a group that meets on Sunday evenings, online via YouTube[1]. The focus of the group is a ‘Virtual Service’ comprising hymn tunes presented by an accomplished British organist but the virtual congregation is world wide. As is common with physical congregations there is a lot of interaction between the members – a church organist in Oregon compares notes with one in England, choristers voice their preference for one hymn tune over another, people from a variety of denominations discuss their different ways of worship. As the congregation gets to know each other we can share on a wider range of topics: family events, recipes, pets, prayer requests.
It is an international congregation with people from each of the six habitable continents. In a way, it reminds me of the words of Jesus when he said:
“I have other sheep that are not of this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” [John 10 v16 NIVUK]
How are we to understand this verse? Most established Bible commentators fall into one of two camps. Some argue that Jesus was talking to Jews and referring to Gentiles, others prefer a time-based interpretation which assumes that he was thinking of future generations. Some people may be tempted to limit it to members of the same denomination who live in a different town or a different country. Others will think of people whose beliefs are similar to their own, but with a different understanding on certain important, but secondary, aspects whilst others will argue that it allows for a significant divergence in liturgy.
Whilst there might be some controversy over the meaning of sheepfold there can be no doubt as to those who are in the flock. In an earlier verse Jesus said “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me”.
Do you know Jesus as your shepherd? Have you claimed your place in his flock? Jesus himself stated the process quite bluntly:
“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. … Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” [John 3 v16, 18 NIVUK]
What is the future of this flock? In John 17 we have the opportunity to eavesdrop on Jesus as he prays to his Father.
“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” [John 17 v24 NIVUK]
Surely there is no better reason for following the voice of the shepherd.
[1] Virtual Church on YouTube, A programme of organ music and live chat with an international congregation.
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © the Author
