The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
John 10:3 and 4
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Thrown out, led out
Chapter 10 carries on where chapter 9 left off. The man born blind had just been thrown out by the leaders. Then Jesus tells of a shepherd who brings his sheep outside. For this John uses the same Greek verb: to throw out. English translations soften it to putteth forth or brought out.
What the leaders did as punishment, the shepherd does to take his sheep with him. Being pushed out hurts. But outside, that man didn't walk alone. Jesus had already gone looking for him. Sometimes his way with you begins in the very place people pushed you to.
Question for today
In which rejection was Jesus perhaps already walking beside me?
Prayer
Lord, you went looking for the man who had been thrown out. Look for me too where I am left outside, and lead me on. Amen.
My prayer
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