Reading
The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out… Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again, Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.
John 10:2-3,6-7
Reflection
I have always had mixed feelings about the Mary and Martha story (for reasons Pastor Brandon so aptly named during his sermon on Sunday). Far too often, this encounter is used to shame people for their personality or behavior, when it really comes down to their heart and priorities.
One of the most beautiful points in the story is when Jesus addresses Martha by name saying, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things” (Luke 10:4). Have you ever noticed that Jesus addresses people by name? Throughout the New Testament, we have stories where Jesus calls people by name and invites them into relationship with Himself.
Jesus knows your name and calls you by it. Have you heard it? Part of our Christian formation is learning to recognize Jesus’ voice.
We are surrounded by voices. Celebrities, influencers, news anchors, family, peers, coworkers, random commenters on social media. We are drowning in notifications, comments, news, and in some cases even the hum of the air conditioner can be a distraction. But given the right time, space, silence, and practice, we can begin to recognize the voice of the one who has been calling us into relationship all along.
Pastor Brandon invited us to practice meditating on a Gospel passage this week by using your imagination to put yourself into the scene. Consider using one of the passages below to notice how Jesus speaks to individuals by name.
As you meditate on the passage, consider how the encounter would have felt. What sounds do you hear? What is the temperature? How is Jesus’ tone of voice? What is the look on His face? Who else is around?
By reading meditatively, we learn to “encounter Jesus” in the scriptures rather than reading “about Jesus” in the scriptures.
- Luke 22:31-32& John 21:15–17 (Simon-Peter)
- Luke 10:41 (Martha)
- Acts 9:4 (Saul/Paul)
- John 20:16 (Mary Magdelene)
- Luke 19:5 (Zacchaeus)
- John 11:43 (Lazarus)
- John 20:27 (Thomas)
- John 14:9 (Philip)
- Luke 22:48 (Judas)
