4 September 2010
Psalm 30, 32; Job 22:1-4,21-23:7; Acts 13:26-43; John 10:1-18

Eliphaz brings nothing new to the party, urging Job to confess his sins, agreeing with God, so that all this can end. The final scene in the movie Braveheart has a time when the torturer leans in and whispers to William Wallace that if he will simply renounce his past, confess his sins and beg for mercy this will all end, there will be no more torture and he will have the death that is coming anyway. Wallace refuses the lifeline because his integrity is too important. Job does the same. How can he confess what he has not done? They are not speaking for God, they are spouting theology that is based in untruth about this situation and about suffering. Job turns to say I am not arguing with flesh and blood, I am arguing with the Almighty and I want a hearing.

Those “shepherds” who have come before are not truly shepherds, they are simply hired men, people doing a job. A shepherd cares for the sheep as a flock but also as individuals. We see the perfect shepherd in Psalm 23 from the perspective of the sheep. In Ezekiel and Zechariah God accuses the shepherds of not caring for the flock just as Jesus does here. The Lord has promised that ultimately He will throw out those bad shepherds and come and shepherd the flock Himself, the Great Shepherd. Here, Jesus says I am that shepherd, the Lord Himself, come to shepherd His people. He speaks also prophetically of His impending death, we are moving inexorably towards the great showdown with the false shepherds, the hired hands who care not for the people but for the pride and prestige that comes with position.

Paul’s proclamation of the resurrection and salvation of Jesus initially gets a glad reception here, they urge him to return next Sabbath and tell more about this Jesus. Speaking to a Jewish audience, he connects Jesus to the promises of Scriptures and as the fulfillment of the history of Israel. He will preach very differently in the Areopagus to a Gentile audience. Here we see the pattern for Jesus’ own ministry among His people, they hear with glad hearts the gracious words he speaks and their hearts are longing for more but there are always the birds circling nearby who come to take away the seed and keep it from taking root and producing fruit. You know they are there and there will be a change soon in this story.

Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.