Devotion
My Sheep Know My Voice
Frances Taylor
Sometimes sheep get a bad reputation and are considered dumb. However, sheep actually do know their master's voice. When sheep from several flocks graze on the same hillside, and it's time for them to return for the night, the shepherd comes among them and calls his sheep and only the sheep of his flock follow him. Jesus' listeners were familiar with the actions of sheep – much more that I am, as a city dweller! But as far as they were concerned, Jesus just wasn't the one they were waiting for. How well were they listening? Jesus had fulfilled the prophesies, had healed the sick, and the blind, had preached in the synagogues with an authority that surprised them, and performed many other acts that astounded them, but he wasn't raising an army to defeat the Romans and drive them from their land. They wanted a leader in the sense of King David who would put things back to what they had been. Jesus came for permanent freedom, not temporary, for peace, not war. How many times have we rejected the word of Jesus when we are being called to change and be better people than we have been, to be more loving and forgiving. Let's make sure that we listen for our shepherd's voice and follow where he leads.
Prayer
Lord, open our ears to hear your voice, and our hearts to do your will. Amen.
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Inspiration
We despise the thought of a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The outside is easy to clean; it's the caked-up residue on the inside that's so difficult to remove. Jesus compares the scribes and Pharisees with dishes that have been wiped clean on the outside while dirty inside. The Pharisees took exceptional care of their outward appearance and neglected their inward spirits. We are guilty of allowing our hearts to be left filthy as well. We look and act as we should while our souls are full of darkness. We must continue to converse with the Holy Spirit daily and trust His guidance to cleanse our sinful nature.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sinful nature. We yearn for cleansing from within, so we are genuine witnesses to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
