The Pharisees Are Thieves!

By Mary Vee
John 9 

Peter

The hill where shepherds watched their sheep
overlooking Bethlehem.
Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Peter, I am a disciple of Jesus. 

The Pharisees persistently tried to find ways to prove Jesus wrong. They followed him nearly everywhere he went, asking him questions before the crowds and hoping to steer the people away from him. Today was no exception.

Jesus had healed the man born blind. This turned into a long ordeal. I'm not saying it took Jesus a long time to heal the man, he, of course, did that in an instant. But afterward, the Pharisees followed the man born blind, conducting an investigation, looking for ways to disprove Jesus' words and actions. You can read what happened before this moment in the last post.

Jesus is currently speaking with the man who was blind. Outside the temple. Even here the Pharisees looked to cause a disruption.

Jesus had just said He left Heaven to help the blind see, and make those who pretend they see-blind. 

The Pharisees said, "Does that mean you're calling us blind?"

The hill overlooking Bethlehem
where shepherds watched over their sheep by night.
Photo by Mary Vee

They knew he was.

Jesus said, "If you were really blind, you would be blameless, but since you claim to see everything so well, you are held accountable for every fault and failure you do.

"For example, if a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, he is up to no good. He is a sheep rustler. The true shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice.

"He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out then shows them the way to find food and water. They follow because they trust his voice. The same sheep, though, will scatter across the countryside if a stranger calls to them. They will wander here and there not knowing where to go."

From the looks on the Pharisees' faces, they didn't understand what Jesus was talking about. 

I wasn't surprised when Jesus offered to give another explanation, even to these Pharisee who only wanted to harm him.

"Then I will tell you the meaning," said Jesus. "I am the gate for the sheep. Everyone else is up to no good, they are sheep stealers. The sheep won't listen to the thieves. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for. They will freely go in and out and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal, kill, and destroy. I came to give the sheep real and eternal life, a more and better life than they ever dreamed of having. 

"I am the Good Shepherd."

Jesus is going to explain what he means by the Good Shepherd. Stop by next week to see what he says. 

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.

It Was A Dark and Clear Night. One We'd Never Forget

By Mary Vee
Luke 2

From Luke's Notes

Photo Courtesy

Not far from Bethlehem, I and my shepherd friends finished our day's work. We corralled the sheep and sat around talking. Sometimes we sang. We didn't carry a tune well, but the sheep like it.

The stars were really bright that night. I remember noticing one in particular. 

We built a fire to keep warm and to keep the wild animals away from the sheep. Usually we took turns keeping watch at night, but it wasn't late enough to go to sleep. 

I took a few steps away from the fire and looked at the city below. It was Bethlehem. I didn't understand how people could live in cities when they could sleep under the stars.

I walked back to the fire and sat with the other shepherds. 

Suddenly a bright light appeared in the sky. It was a bright glowing light. I didn't know what it was. My friends and I stumbled back in fright. We fell over each other not knowing what to do. It took me a moment to realize this glow I saw was the figure of an angel. "Don't be afraid," the angel said. "I have good news that will bring great joy for all people."

None of us had ever seen an angel before. We huddled together, trying to understand what was happening. 

The angel said, "Today in the city of David, a Savior has been born. He is the Christ, the Lord. This is the sign you will need to look for: There is a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

We had barely handled the one angel talking to us when the whole sky lit up. Thousands of angels appeared in the sky singing. I listened closer. They were singing praises to God. 

"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth, peace to men in whom he is well pleased."

My breath caught in my chest. This was a night I would never, ever, ever forget. The singing was like a perfect choir. Harmony. Melody. Masterful singing. The voices rang, echoing on the hillside. 

Never, in all my life did I imagine I would see an angel much less hear thousands singing praises to God.

Well, I won't be sleeping tonight. We have a special baby to visit.

Come back for the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

Moses Shoos the Shepherds Away

By Mary Vee
Exodus 2:15-17

Moses hadn't seen a well since yesterday.  His tongue stuck to his mouth.  I'm so thirsty.  He rubbed sweat from his eyes.  What's that up ahead?  He rubbed his eyes again.  A tree?  "Water?  Tell me you have water!"

He ran toward the tree, hoping it wasn't another mirage.  "Water, there is water!"  Moses heaved the bucket from the water.  Drops fell back down into the hole.  He pulled the bucket near and plunged his face into the water.  Cool tingled his scalp.

He raised his head to get a breath. To his left a group of girls lead a flock toward the well.  Moses gulped some water then sat under the tree.  The girls looked at him and whispered.  The youngest cowered back.  "Maybe he has a disease."

Moses glanced at his clothing. I don't look that bad, do I? Maybe I smell a little pungent, but...  He kept his distance to not frighten the girls.  Once they leave, I'll drink some more.

The girls took turns filling the trough with water for their flock.  As they led their animals to drink, a group of shepherds arrived.  "Get out of the way. Our sheep are more important than your mangy flock."

The girl's gathered together and whispered.  The lead shepherd stepped closer.  "If you don't get your flock out of the way, you'll be sorry.  Now move on."

The girls called to their sheep and took a few steps away from the trough.  Moses stood.  "Look here.  These girls came first--"

The lead shepherd turned to Moses.  He furrowed his brows.  "What did you say?  Are you defending these girls?"

Moses cocked his head.  Who do these guys think they are?  I've dealt with meaner men back in Egypt.
"Yes. I am defending them.  Now if you'll step back and let them--"

"I'm warning you, Stranger, stay out of this."

Moses rolled his eyes.  He stepped back toward the shepherds camels.  The shepherds moved their flock forward toward the filled trough.  While they were distracted, Moses untied their camels.  "Hut, hut."  With those words, the camels ran away.

"What did you do? Those were our camels!"  The shepherds ran after their camels.  As they ran away, their sheep  roamed away from the well.

Moses laughed. He called out to the girls. "Hey, you can come back to the well.  They'll chase those camels for the rest of the afternoon."

The girls turned and smiled.  "You saved us.  Thank you."  They led their flock back to the trough.  "Where do you come from?"

Moses heaved the bucket from the well and poured water into the trough.  "A land far away to find a new home. I hope those shepherds didn't frighten you."

The oldest sister smiled. "Well, in a way they did. But everything is fine now."

Moses and the girls talked until all their flock finished drinking.  They gathered their belongings and called the sheep to follow.  The oldest turned to Moses. "Will we see you again?"

"Perhaps." He sat under the tree to rest and watched the girls leave.