Since we were away last week, we obviously heard different sermons to the ones heard in Goldthorpe. It’s always interesting to hear different preachers and to reflect on God’s word in an unfamiliar context. Maybe something of what we heard last week can also speak to us here at home.
At the Anglican church in Minchinhampton, the sermon (given by the Bishop of Gloucester) was from Matt 14:22-33, looking at the story where Jesus, and then Peter, walks on the water. This story reveals something of who Jesus is (“truly You are the Son of God” vs 33). It also shows us about faith – Peter is often criticised for not having much faith, and yet he did actually have the faith to walk to Jesus initially. Even a little faith is better than none! This miracle caused the disciples to worship Jesus, to pay Him homage, just as the Magi had earlier done in Matthew 2. The more we see of who Jesus is, the more our faith will be increased and the more we will worship Him.
At the Baptist church that evening, the sermon was continuing looking at the ‘I am’ sayings of Jesus, this time looking at ‘I am the good shepherd’ (John 10:11-15). ‘I am’ refers back to the very name of God (first revealed to Moses in Exodus 3), showing us again something of Christ’s identity. He is a good shepherd – far more than just someone ‘nice’ or ‘obliging’, but one showing us true holiness, completeness or perfection. Shepherds in the East knew their sheep intimately and led them. Jesus, the Lamb of God Himself, was not a hired hand (see Ezekiel 34) but was one who would combine the roles of prophet, priest and king. He truly is the good shepherd: the question now is ‘are we following Him or going our own way?’