What is the difference between the Good Shepherd and everyone else? Many things, but one of them is that the Good Shepherd gathers while the others care nothing when the sheep are scattered. Indeed, the hireling flees when the wolf approaches and saves himself rather than the sheep. The Good Shepherd wants all of His sheep gathered together around Him. The sheep who wander and are not with the flock are not with Christ. This was the great danger in which Thomas found himself. He was not gathered with the flock and he told you exactly what that meant – he did not believe. Gathering together as the flock is an essential part of our life in Christ because wherever two or three sheep are gathered together in Christ’s Name as He has bid and commanded them to do, there He is in their midst providing the nourishment and rest which He won for us by laying down His life for us. God grant that we hear His voice and gather as He has bid us that we may lay down in the green pastures and rest by the quiet waters of His salvation. I look forward to seeing you all this coming Lord’s Day.
Pastor Ulmer