Sunday May 7, 2006

Text for the Day -- John 10:11-15
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'I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the
sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the
sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-and
the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away
because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good
shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows
me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.'

Devotional
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The shepherd image was a strong and meaningful symbol of God for the
people of Israel. Even today as you drive through the countryside in
Palestine you see the Bedouin tents and the nearness of the shepherds
to the flocks. We may have trouble getting in touch with the power of
this symbol. However, we all know what it is to be dependent on
someone else at various points in our lives, when someone intervenes
on our behalf to help us. Jesus has done, and continues to do, just
that for us.

Prayer
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Thank you, Good Shepherd for your constant care. Amen