Substitute or Wayshower?

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Scripture Text:
John 10:22-30, ‘Jesus declares he is the Messiah and True Shepherd’.

In John 10:22-26, Jesus explained that as Messiah, he has totally trusted and obeyed God’s will and plan for his life. The Paschal Mystery declares that Jesus passed over from ordinary human life on earth through his passion, death, resurrection and ascension into a new and glorified life with the Father. In the power of the Holy Spirit, the living Christ became fully incarnate and manifested in Jesus, so that all people could experience deliverance from slavery to sin and share the same new and glorified life, by listening, hearing and following Jesus.

In John 17:20-26, Jesus prayed that all believers would share his relationship of union with God. This mysterious union establishes the living Christ as the Only Begotten Son, the image of God, in the spiritual body of all people [Genesis 1:26-27, Colossians 1:26-27]. Jesus Christ declared himself the true Messiah and Way-shower.

In today's Gospel John 10:22-30, Jesus again confessed his total dependence on God and the Holy Spirit, for removing all blocks to this mysterious union in every aspect of his life and ministry. Rather than being a penalty, substitute and atonement for mankind’s sin, Jesus’ blood symbolizes the life giving Spirit, forgiving and removing all gaps and blocks created by sin. By repentance and faith the living Christ is now re-establishing humankind's divine heritage.

For many Christians the central focus of faith, hope and the born again experiences are alignment, incarnation and kingdom living. These sheep follow Jesus in total dependence on the same Holy Spirit and the living Christ, in sharing God’s new covenant of reconciliation. By listening, hearing and following Jesus as Way-shower and Good Shepherd, the kingdom of heaven is now being more fully established in our midst and within us.

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