日本バプテスト連盟　徳島キリスト教会

Japan Baptist Convention Tokushima Christ Church

The Lord is the Good Shepherd     

 

John 10:7-18 Pastor Izumi Sugiyama

 

In the Gospel of John, there are many examples in which Jesus refers to himself, saying, “I am 00.'' Look in the Bible and see how many of them appear.

“I am the bread of life,” “I am the light of the world,” “I am,” “I am the resurrection and the life,” “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman." And today's passage contains two: "I am the gate for the sheep" and "I am the good shepherd."

We enter the Church through faith in Jesus–believe in Jesus and enter the sheepfold, where you will be protected and fed by Jesus. Those who do not come through the gate of Jesus may be ravaged, scattered, and destroyed.

Even if you enter through the gate called the “Christian Church,” you may have many different ideas. Even though some may be called "Baptist churches," there are many different ideas and teachings depending on the individual church. Even if you want to listen to the teachings of a “pastor,” each pastor has a different opinion. Even when we start with “theology,” there are many different ideas and teachings depending on the theologian. So how can we learn? What should we believe and how should we have faith? It may seem confusing, but it is important for us to enter through Jesus' door while always asking ourselves, “What would Jesus think?” and ``What would Jesus do?''

We do not necessarily know what Jesus thinks or does. But, still praying for understanding, we follow Jesus.

Also, Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd.” Jesus, the good shepherd, who protects His sheep with his life. If you look at chapter 34 of Ezekiel, this is what it says about the Good Shepherd who will be given to Israel.

“Seek out and care, feed and give rest, seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the wounded, strengthen the weak. But the fat and the strong. I will destroy them, and I will feed them justice.”

Even if we are separated from our shepherd, even if we lose him, the Lord will find us, bring us back, feed us, give us rest, heal our wounds, and strengthen us.

Jesus does not intend for us to be as strong as wolves. God nourishes the mind and body of the sheep so that they will have the strength to live as sheep, but it is not that He wants them to be strong like wolves and have the strength to live by hurting and slaughtering sheep. Sheep don't fight, neither do they hurt each other. The Lord will not allow us to live in a way that preys on those who are weaker than we are, “to protect our rights, to protect ourselves.”

If we are led and nourished by Jesus, the Good Shepherd, we will become strong, through the love of Jesus, through the protection of Jesus.

In a world where conflict is constant, we wish to walk through the gates of Jesus, be guided and nourished by Jesus, and walk together as people who pray for peace.

 

 

Things that Appear Useless　　John 6:1-15

Pastor Izumi Sugiyama

 

Many people followed Jesus after seeing the miracles in which Jesus healed people who were sick and those who had heard the rumors. Was it because they wanted to see the next miracle? Was it because they wanted to hear the words of Jesus? Was it because they were looking for a leader? What were they looking forward to as they followed Jesus? Looking at Mark 6:34, it says, ``When Jesus got out of the boat and saw the large crowd, he felt great compassion for them, as they were like sheep without a shepherd, and He began to teach them various things.''

People who were tired of the harshness of life and the pain of living in a hopeless society followed Jesus in search of hope and salvation. It is said that the situation was like that of a sheep without one to care for them. Without shepherds, sheep become prey to wild animals such as wolves. They don't have the skills to fight. You can't run away either. Under the rule of the Roman Empire, the people were unable to fight, run away, or even have hope. They were in a heartless situation, like sheep without a shepherd.

Jesus wanted to share food with those who were following him. However, the number would be 5000 men alone, and more than 10,000 if women and children were included. Even in today's society, which is overflowing with goods, it is not easy to suddenly prepare meals for 10,000 people. The disciples must have been surprised when Jesus asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed these people?”

Even 200 denari (200 days' worth of wages) would not be enough to divide food into small portions, they replie.

While they were talking, a boy appeared. He had five loaves and two fish in his hands. When the disciple saw this, he said, “Here is a boy who has five barley loaves and two fish. But with so many people, they will be of no use.” No matter how you look at it, it was a “useless” amount. What was the boy thinking when he brought his own food? It may have a bit too much for one person to eat for a meal. However, if you think about tomorrow, it would be much for a second day's meals.

But he offered it in case it would help someone who is hungry right now.

Seeing the boy's actions, Jesus said a prayer of thanksgiving. Then he began to share the bread with others. Then, the people were full and the leftovers filled 12 baskets. Why? The details of what happened are not written.

 

Seeing the boy's act of giving and hearing Jesus' prayer of gratitude, everyone may have gradually given what little they had.

We are made to think that what we have is of little power. Little money and little voices are of no use in the face of society's big issues. However, I would like to learn from the boy who generously gave what little he had.

 

I would like to see together the miracle of how the Lord Jesus rejoices, is grateful, and uses the seemingly useless power, money, and voice that we offer to Him in abundance.

 

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