-241-
what is intended today. These words reveal the truth because today is a day
of justice. But remember: mercy prevails before justice is enacted, but the
harshness of perfect justice must come to pass soon on those who travel on
the wide road. As individuals, we have a gift of free will to choose the
narrow road, because we’re standing at the intersection, at the
ϒ
in the road.
We have only one choice, and now know the consequence of our choice.
So, wisdom in essence is sight, because understanding is sight to an
inquiring mind. Darkness is misunderstanding and stubborn, so don’t be
confused or remain in the darkness of the day. This is precisely why Jesus
said,
“I f y ou we r e b l i nd , y ou wou l d no t be gu i l t y o f s i n ; bu t now t ha t
y ou c l a im y ou c an s e e , y our gu i l t r ema i ns .
I tell you the truth; the man
who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other
way is a thief and a robber.
The man who en t e r s by t he ga t e i s t he
shephe rd o f h i s she ep .
The watchman opens the gate for him, and the
sheep listen to 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. But they will never
follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him, because they do not
recognize a stranger’s voice.”
(John 9:41-10:1-5)
Who t hen i s the “wo l f i n she ep ’ s c l o t h i ng” t ha t appear s t o be one o f t he
she ep , bu t do e s no t en t e r by t he she ep ’ s ga t e ?
It enters another way
because, if the wolf gets too close to the sheep, they would recognize it. The
wolf cares little for the sheep, except that the sheep provide him food and
clothing. He is too proud to enter through the gate the sheep use, for he
sets himself above the sheep.
The one t ha t i s s e l e c t ed c ome s f r om t he
f l o ck
,
and enters through the gate normally used by the sheep.
He i s an
uns e en shephe rd , be c aus e h e i s c ons i de r ed one o f t he she ep by t he wo l v e s .
This shepherd is then accused of being a wolf by the wolves in sheep
clothing. However the sheep know the difference because the sheep know
his voice,
f o r he do e s no t speak o f h i s own au t ho r i t y .
He is a foreigner to
the wolves, as indeed he must be.
Jesus first spoke to Simon Peter, knowing the denial that would follow:
“‘Simon son of John [Jonas, Jonah], do you truly love me more than these?’
‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’
Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me?’ He answered,
‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’
The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter
was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said,