The Shepherd Sent For Our Salvation

Prayer-Soldier

The Shepherd Sent For Our Salvation

Scripture:

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: You princes of the people, and ancients, hear: If we this day are examined concerning the good deed done to the infirm man, by what means he has been made whole: Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God has raised from the dead, even by him this man stands here before you whole. This is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:8-12)

Behold what manner of charity the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called, and should be the sons of God. Therefore the world knows not us, because it knew not him. Dearly beloved, we are now the sons of God; and it has not yet appeared what we shall be. We know, that, when he shall appear, we shall be like to him: because we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:1-2)

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for his sheep. But the hireling, and he that is not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches, and scatters the sheep: And the hireling flees, because he is a hireling: and he has no care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know mine, and mine know me. As the Father knows me, and I know the Father: and I lay down my life for my sheep.

And other sheep I have, that are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd. Therefore does the Father love me: because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No man takes it away from me: but I lay it down of myself, and I have power to lay it down: and I have power to take it up again. This commandment have I received of my Father. ( John 10:11-18 )

Reflection:

Though Peter denied knowing Him when Jesus faced trial, Peter would be the one, as Jesus had told Peter, upon which His church would be built (Matthew 16:1 Cool

. Peter proclaimed to all who would hear as to the name in which the works of Peter were done. He let the people know that salvation does not come through man, but through the One God sent. Peter reminded those in authority as to the prophesy which was fulfilled, but those with power over others were so consumed by their own authority that they were blinded and could not let go of their position within the world.

The message Peter presented has now been passed to the generations; the message which Jesus entrusted to Peter and the other disciples, the message of the good news of our salvation; but the choice for every person remains as it was for those who stood in perceived authority over Peter. The choice is whether to seek our desires or to humbly receive the authority and blessings of our Lord and Savior.

If we comprehend His message, then, to fulfill His commandments to love, we have a responsibility to share that which the Holy Spirit reveals to our heart. This is an important responsibility, for the evil one will tempt us to color what we say and what we do to fulfill our own agendas. We must pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us so that we may share with others the blessings of His truth. We must pray that we do not seek our desires, but that we may put our talents to the purpose of fulfilling His will. What the world has to offer cannot compare to the blessings we may both give and receive through our faith in Him.

Jesus gave us the example by which all who believe in Him should seek to live. As we receive understanding of the blessings of our faith, we also receive the responsibility to share it with those who are scattered by the designs of the evil one. We do this first by the example by which we live. We also do this by always being prepared to share the love which resides within our heart through our faith in Him.

As others see His love through the charity of our hands and works of love, so shall they see the path which is also open to them. Should they inquire as to what they see, we should not give ourselves credit for what we do, but we should ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in how we may share the truth of the voice of the One sent as our Shepherd. As Peter reminded all who would hear by what authority great works of love are accomplished, let us also share His glory. In prayer, let us give thanks and praise for the blessings and many ways through which the works of our Lord and Savior are done.

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier